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12,7 7

By G. W. p.

AMERICAN WHIST ILLUSTRATED. Con-
taining the Laws and Principles of the Game,
the Analysis of the New Play and American
Leads, and a series of Hands in Diagram, and
combining Whist Universal and American
Whist. i6mo, flexible leather, $1.75.

WHIST IN DIAGRAMS. i6mo, 11.25.

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO.
Boston and New York.

€gi^&^^^

>v« >>i .ui^'>K%

The Riverside Press^ Cambridge^ Mass. ,U.S.A.
£Iectroty))ed and Printed by H. O. Houghton & Company.

« '

THE PLAYERS OF WHIST

WHO STUDY THE GAME

IS DEDICATED

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

"American Whist," published in 1880, has
passed through ten editions, and four editions of
"Whist Universal," published in 1887, are ex-
hausted.

This publication is the digest of the two vol-
umes, with all the amendments, revisions, and
changes in play required by the application of
recent inventions and improvements in the
practice of the American game.

Brookline, Mass.) January^ 1890.

PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION.

The American Leads and the New Play given
in detail in this volume have superseded fprmer
methods.

The best players of English or Short Whist
have adopted the general plan.

American Whist is for those who honor the
principles and obey the laws that govern the
most distinguished game ever devised for intel-
lectual recreation.

Brookline, Mass., 1891.

CONTENTS.

PAGB

The History and Progress of Cards . . . . i

The History of Modern Whist .... 9

Memoranda 20

Laws of American Whist 21

The Revoke 25

Rules of the Card-rooms of the Deschapelles Club 26

Deschapelles Club Rules 27

Table of Original Leads of High Cards ... 30
Original Leads:

From Suits headed by the Ace 31

From Suits headed by the King .... 39

From Suits headed by the Queen 42

From Suits headed by the Knave .... 46

From Suits headed by the 10 47

From Suits headed by the 9 47

From Suits headed by the 8 48

Summary 49

Objections 62

Second Hand 67

Analysis of Second Hand :

With the Ace . 73

With the King 75

General Play 75

Third Hand 83

Unblocking S6

Third Hand Play 93

X CONTENTS,

Fourth Hand loi

American Leads 105

Low Card led 112

High Card led followed by Low Card . . . • ^ ' 5
High Card followed by High Card . . . .117

Table of Leads, No. 1 116

Table of Leads, No. II 124

The New Play 125

Special Topics 134

Whist Practice 151

Irregular Leads 212

Playing through the Strong Hand .... 217

Finesse 222

Trumps 241

Underplay 246

The Eleventh 248

The Twelfth 249

The Thirteenth 251

Signaling 252

Getting in a Little Trump 257

The Echo 261

Technical Terms in American Whist . . . 264

Inferences 271

How TO learn Whist 276

A Hand at Cards 280

Skill in Whist 287

Illustrated Hands:
Hands i, 2, 3, and 4.

The same Cards by different Players . . 289
Hands 5, 6, 7.

American Leads, i, 2, 3 305

Hand 8.

The Lead of the 9 317

Hands 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

The New Play 321

Hand 16.

Irregular Play 349

CONTENTS, xi

Hand 17.

The Coup de Sacrifice 353

Hand 18.

The Grand Coup 356

Hand 19.

Throwing the Lead 360

Hand 20.

A Yarborough ...•••• 364

AMERICAN WHIST.

THE HISTORY AND PROGRESS OF
CARDS.i

Cards, or their archetypes, were invented in
Hindustan. Twelve centuries ago, certain em-
blems, or representations, or figures upon a stuff
composed of a sort of canvas, had stated value in
the valley of the Himalayas, and were exchanged
for other emblems in a game that was played,
until one player came to possess, by skill or ac-
cident, the most desirable of the series. Plates,
thin casts, devices upon a kind of wampum, fol-
lowed in their turn, and, in varied forms, canvas,
or wampum lamella, or cards bearing figures or
emblems, have been in constant use for the
amusement and edification of emperors and
kings, and the people of all nations, from the
' time of the Brahmin Vatullah to the present
hour.

There is a tradition that, soon after the death
of Mohammed Causim, who was sent by the

2 AMERICAN WHIST,

Caliph Walid, the Mohammedan governor of
Bassorah, to invade Hindustan and convert the
people to Islamism, the Hindoos, who in a gen-
eral insurrection drove the Mohammedans from
the country, circulated plates or casts of those
whom they termed their tyrants, with other
plates bearing odd figures or caricatures of their
own victors, the former always to be exchanged
at play, at discount by certain established rules,
for the latter. Afterward, games of figures
drawn upon a lighter material were formed, and
Sir John Lawrence, whose administrative ca-
pacity saved the Punjaub, or country of five
rivers, in the great rebellion, relates that he
saw in the possession of the Rajah of Nagpoor
relics of cards with figures of most curious com-
position, of very great age and very rare, rep-
resentative of customs of exchange in play or
barter. General Havelock stated to an officer
of the British army that he had learned in
Allahabad that many centuries ago a plan of
play prevailed by means of painted cards. These
medals and plates and cards, the latter formed
of papyrus paper, which were used in games, in
plan and purpose intended for amusement and
information, had their counterpart in Arabia
several centuries later. It is said that Avi-
cenna, an Arabian logician who lived in the
ninth century, invented a mode of play with
cards in which the likenesses of existing leaders

THE msTOkV AND PROGRESS OF CAkbS. 3

in the favorite topics or business of the time
were the conquerors when used in play with
other representative faces.

William Andrew Chatto mentions the fact
that in the museum of the Royal Asiatic Soci-
ety there are three packs of Hindustanee cards.
The story told by Captain D. Cromline Smith
is to the effect that a high-caste Brahmin stated
that one of these packs was more than a thou-
sand years old. The material of which they were
formed appears to be a sort of canvas, so stiff-
ened with varnish that each single card seems
as made of wood. And we have the testimony
of Distachi, who passed several years in Hin-
dustan and Arabia, that he heard performers at
the incarnation of Vishnu repeatedly declare
that, before the tenth century, cards indicative
of rulers, and bearing devices emblematical of
their demands, were invented to inform the peo- '
pie of their destiny.

The Hon. Daines Harrington says the ear-
liest mention of cards in England is in Mr.
Anstis' "History of the Garter," in which he
cites the following passage from the wardrobe
rolls in the sixth year of Edward I., 1278:
"Waltero Sturton, ad opus regis ad ludendum
ad quatuor regis, 8s. 5d.," — a charge for play-
ing-cards.

were introduced into Germany about
I the year 1300; but the Chinese and Syrians

4 AMERICAN WHIST.

had used them long before, and the Persians
were familiar with them more than a century
previous to their introduction into northern
Europe. What were styled Tarocco cards were
of still earlier date. This game called for a
twofold series of figures and images strangely
resolved in representation to number and fac-
tors divisible by 7, and in the formation of the
pack, composed of JJ cards, the combinations
were of sevens. The game of Trappola was un-
derstood in the southern provinces of France in
1 36 1, and that of Piquet was invented in the
reign of Charles VII., in 1456. The French,
and not the English nation or players, have
been most prominent m illustrating the historic
account of the origin, continuation, or consum-
mation of play of special games or use of play-
ing-cards. The disposition of the cards in
the pack, corresponding to those now in use,
was planned in the reign of Charles VII. It
was four and a half centuries ago (in 1429)
that Joan of Arc rendered signal service to the
French ; and as a tribute to her memory the
queen of spades was named Pallas, goddess of
war and wisdom. The king of spades bore the
name of David ; of clubs, Alexander ; of hearts,
Charlemagne ; of diamonds, Caesar. The knave
of spades was Ogier ; of clubs, Lancelot ; of
hearts La Hire ; and of diamonds. Hector. The
queen of clubs was Argine ; of hearts, Judic ; of

THE HISTORY AND PROGRESS OF CARDS. 5

diamonds, Rachel. Argine is the anagram of
Regina, and represented Mary of Anjou; Rachel
stood for Agnes Sorel, the lady of beauty, and
Judith for Isabel of Bavaria. In the original
Spanish cards there was no queen, but instead,
an attendant upon the king, and Prentkoff states
that such was the plan of exclusion upon those
formerly used in Germany. Mr. Carl Montague
asserts that cards bearing figures of individuals
in high respect were current in Germany soon
after the fourteenth century, a change effected
in the original manner of printing. Mr. Edward
Mallorn gives his opinion that the Syrians in-
vented the plan of putting upon an oblong piece
of stiff paper certain representations of favorites,
which were used for games and reckoned at cer-
tain values. From this practice, he thinks, came
cards as used by Europeans who would make
French heroines prominent.

The game of la triomphe in France, or " tri-
umph " or " trump " in England, was played in
the sixteenth century : the same game with trionfi
played by Neapolitans. " Ruff and honours,"
either an amended game or possessing similarity,
followed in the seventeenth century, and out of
it a game termed " whisk and swabbers " was
formed. The assumed wisdom of many persons
who have written about cards, when brought to
bear upon the history of this game, exploded
usually in paragraphs of doubt ; e, g,y " Consid-

6 AMERICAN WHIST

crable ingenuity has been bestowea in attempts
to investigate," etc., etc., " but," etc., etc. And
there an end.

A Mr. Buchan figures at great length as one
of these informers who does not inform. It
is difficult, therefore, to prove relationship, or
even to trace likenesses and give reason for
their existence, between "ruff and honours"
and "whisk and swabbers."

De Cameron asserts that "if the word 'whist'
was ever used, as Cotton intimates, in connection
with the game of 'whisk,* for the purpose of
giving a silent aspect to a portion of the play,
still it could not have been recognized as the title
of the game, because * whisk ' was always writ-
ten during the entire first quarter of the eigh-
teenth century."

It would seem as if Whist was afterward dis-
severed from "whisk," the noisy game giving
place to the quiet one. "Whisk," says Dele-
maine, "was a game in which the board was
cleared of cards or of an extraordinary stake, as
swabbers cleared or cleansed the deck of a ves-
sel."

The summing up of testimony regarding the
play is that " ruff and honours," by some called
" slamm," was originally played with forty-eight
cards, the deuces left out for stock, and after-
ward exchanged for rejected cards ; the honours
were the four highest cards, and the call of hon-

THE HISTORY AND PROGRESS OF CARDS. J J

ours held was made ; the rank of the cards was I
the same as now, and the trump card of any (
size would win the best card of a suit. The
" swabbers " were the four privileged cards : the
ace of hearts, knave of clubs, and ace and deuce
of trumps (the discarded deuce having been ex- ]
changed for a rejected stock card). These cards '
received the name of "swabbers" because the |
player who held one or more of them was en-
titled to sweep off all or a share of the stakes
independent of the general result.

The manufacture of cards in England did not
reach a period of note until the reign of Queen
Anne, 1702, at which time forty thousand reams
of paper were imported for the purpose of being
made into playing-cards. Very wonderful have
been the changes in form and purpose through
which fac-similes and representations, crude and
original among the ancient dates, have passed.

The monopolist of card-making in New York,
issuing his carloads of pasteboard figures per
dietn, cares little for the time when commonest
canvas served as the background for rough ex-
hibit ; and we who handle the delicate wares of
Dougherty's mantifacture confess to greater
satisfaction in reading what the cards teach as
they fall in regular order at the whist table,
than in settling points that were taken several
centuries before America was discovered.

It may be proper to state that the purposes |

8 AJfERICAN WHIST.

for which cards were invented seem to have
been to afford information and amusement, and
the purposes by which they have been debased
seem to have been planned by Christian Europe,
and not by heathen Hindustan ; as practised by
some players in enlightened America, one game
with them is free from taint, working no dis-
credit to the benighted nation by whose inven-
tive genius they had life.

THE HISTORY OF MODERN WHIST.

Whist as a game of principles entirely super-
seded all games of cards when, in 1728, Lord
Folkestone became its champion at the Crown
Coffee House in London. He was not only the
reviser of the ancient mode of play, but the au-
thor and inventor of the .modem game. Before
his time the play of " whisk and swabbers " was
as inutile and unrefined as the railroad whist of
to-day. Laugh and talk and pounding down of
the cards were its accompaniments. He deter-
mined to make of it a game of respectability, to
plan its method, and to give it laws. Dr. Dakin
says of him, "He was a startling contrast to
Cotton and Curll and Seymour and Irnay, and, I
may add, to Hoyle, who was one of the game-
sters ; for not one of these cared for the quality
of a game, but only for the money that any game
caused to leap from the pockets of the unwary."

Lord Folkestone revolutionized theory and
practice in play. He took back the excluded
deuces, assigned the cards their proper rank,
introduced the naming of the odd card, directed
the original lead from the strongest suit, re-
quired consideration of the partner's hand, ad-

lO AMERICAN WHIST,

vised attention to the score, and christened his
new game the " game of silence." When all this
had been done, and the Folkestone party — edu-
cated men who saw the necessity of a finished
game for mental recreation — had established
the superior order of things, the better class of
players took interest in the matter; the old
games of whisk, piquet, ombre, and quadrille
went out, and the new game of whist came in.

" It seems a wondrous pity," says Delaroche,
" that the good example set by Folkestone did
not become a perpetuity. I cannot find that
money was at any time used as an incentive to
the play. At any rate, as there were plenty of
short games for the gamesters, this noble one
should not have been debased."

Edmond Hoyle, who for many years had been
an adept in sports and games, obtained, as it was
most easy to do, the information which the spe-
cial Crown Coffee House players were ready to
impart, and gave currency to the improved plans
in a short treatise published in 1742. Hoyle's
business was to make money out of whist, and
he designed an "artificial memory," as he
termed a certain secret plan, for imparting which
he charged a guinea. It consisted of " sticking
little cards " of some suits among cards of other
suits, or to the left of the trumps, or to the right
of the partner's suit, or almost anywhere, in order
to assist the memory in remembering something.

THE HISTORY OF MODERN WHIST. II

The plan was as practical as one which would
lead a book-keeper to interpoiate little sums
among Brown's and Robinson's credits, that he
might recollect when Smith and White paid
their accounts.

Hoyle was probably never an associate of the
Folkestone party, but he did prove to be in a cer-
tain degree a medium for the spread of their
doctrine. He was a conspicuous character,
mainly instrumental in calculation of the odds,
and famous in his time for information concern-
ing each and every amusement by participation
in which money could be realized. His name
has been a power among the gamesters ; he was
their patron saint, and, in his name, games in-
vented since his death are published under the
same cover with his treatise in exienso.

Mathews, whose pamphlet followed Paine' s, and
who was the founder of the law that allowed
the trump card to be called if left on the table
after the first round, says that Hoyle, "so far
from being able to teach the game, was not fit
to sit down even with the third-class players of
the present day."

The whist of Folkestone, or, as we are given

to saying, of Hoyle, was the whist of Charles

\ Lamb's time. In his "Elia" he immortalizes

I- Mrs. Battle, a fine player, whose motto was "a

Iclear fire, a clean hearth, and the rigor of the

12 AMERICAN WHIST.

game." It was the whist of more than a cen-
tury, and the great minds of France and Eng-
land took delight in it. But the man was at
hand who should create a system of finesse,
and present a theory which, having small re-
spect for tradition, was to revolutionize the
whist of Europe, and whose practice was to dis-
tance that of all the players of the past and of
his own time. "We were forced to recognize,"
says James Clay, "a wide difference between
this system and our own, and the French game
became the scorn and horror of the old school,
which went gradually to its grave with an un-
changed faith, and in the firm belief that the
invaders with their rash trump-leading were all
mad, and that their great master, Deschapelles,
the finest whist-player beyond all comparison
the world has ever seen, was a dangerous luna-
tic."

This very wonderful man, who had been a
rapid learner of chess, intuitively understanding
the combinations so that he won from the most
celebrated players, abandoned the game which,
he said, had " much merit as a trial of skill, but
the forces are alike," to become the greatest
practical exponent of the game whose forces are
changed whenever an attack is to be made, and
whose defenses are never seen or known until
the battle has begun.

Early in the present century the great player

THE UISTOKY OF MODERN WHIST. 13

Deschapelles introduced his wonderful play to
the Parisian clubs, — far the most original and
brilliant ever known. The fine "coups," as
may be known by the French term for his start-
ling acts, were of his invention ; hut the record
of play not being kept, the many instances of
victory achieved by the aid of his foresight and
practice of strange ways are lost to us. The
shrewdest management of Clay is traceable to
the teaching of Deschapelles. The "grand coup"
that consists of throwing away a useless trump
to gain a trick upon the forced play of right-
hand opponent, and the so-called "Deschapelles
coup," made by the lead of a high card at the
head of many, to be lost to the adversary that
the play may be forced up to the leader's part-
ner, are the two distinguishing memories of his
genius. Of the "grand coup" Clay says: "Every
one who has played whist much must have ob-
served the not infrequent occasions when a
player has found himself in the last three cards
of the hand with a trump too many. He has
been obliged to trump his partner's trick, to
take the lead himself, and to lead from his ten-
ace, instead of being led to, by which a trick is
lost. The triumph of the great whist-player is
to foresee this position, and to take an opportu-
nity of getting rid of this inconvenient trump, —
which may be done either by under-trumping
the adversary when you cannot over-trump him.

14 AMERICAN WHIST.

or by trumping your partner's trick when you
hold a losing card, with which you know you
can again give him the lead if you wish to do so.
I haye known Deschapelles, and not infrequently,
to foresee this difficulty, and to defend himself
against it many tricks before it was established
or at all apparent to any one else."

Deschapelles was the inventor of modes of
finesse, for the play of which he was specially
noted. His bold trump-leading in order that
he might obtain advantages that he saw in the
proper after-play of the cards that he held, as-
tonished the calm Englishman, who, as Clay
states, "thought him an inspired madman."
These many coups of his peculiar leads for
problematical results are practised, of course,
but not, as it would seem, as brilliantly as by
him, for he kept the clubs in a fever by his con-
stant successes. He had the faculty of reading
the cards that fell, as also of placing those that
remained, and was reported as always torment-
ing second-hand, while his own second-hand
play was admirable. His game was Long Whist
without the trump-call or the echo, and the
designated leads of high cards were not then
arranged for informatory purposes. He was the
most wonderful of the whist-players, and the
applause of all bystanders at the close of his
well-conducted game was not infrequent.

Deschapelles issued a pamphlet, — "Traits du

THE msTORV OF MODERN WHIST. 15

Whist," but it did not record his own achieve-
ments, and was merely a hst of laws and direc-
tions, with explanations of their intent It is
the nucleus, however, of all the laws that regu-
late the English game of whist, John Loraine
Baldwin having taken most of them bodily, and
all of them inferentially, from the published
code of Deschapelles.

About thirty years ago, " a knot of young men
at Cambridge, England, of considerable ability,
who had at first taken up whist for amusement,
found it to offer such a field for intellectual
study that they continued its practice more sys-
tematically, with a view to its complete scien-
tific investigation." In 1862, Mr. Henry Jones,
a member of this coterie, under the nom de
plume of "Cavendish," published a little book,
containing principles and notes and reasons for
authorized play, and introduced a selection of
hands played through, illustrative of the orders
given in the letter-press. In 1864, the laws of
Short Whist, adopted by the Arlington Club of
London, were pubUshed as the introduction to a
"Treatise of the Game, by J. C," the initials
of the renowned English player, James Clay.
i These laws have remained without change, and
govern the English game of to-day.

It is nearly a century since the game that is

1 6 AMERICAN WHIST.

now played in England, and followed or imitated
by clubs elsewhere, known as " Short Whist,"
was inaugurated. The game of Whist was in
value of count ten points, to be gained by tricks
taken and honours held. From the " Treatise "
of J. C. we learn why this manner of count was
changed by the English clubs. " Lord Peter-
borough having one night lost a large sum of
money, the friends with whom he was playing
proposed to make the game five points instead
of ten, in order to give the loser a chance, at a
quicker game, of recovering his loss. The new
game was found to be so lively, and money
changed hands with such increased rapidity,
that these gentlemen and their friends, all of
them leading members of the clubs of the day,
continued to play it." We are not informed
how Lord Peterborough personally was pleased
with the new game, since, because of the dimid-
iating process, he might have been deprived of
his guineas more speedily than before ; but it
matters not. So that money changed hands
rapidly, the Englishmen were delighted. The
reduction in the manner of count in no wise
interferes with the original ideas concerning the
game ; it only hinders the players from the op-
portunity of carrying them out.

Long Whist was played in America according
to the old method, honours counting, until the

THE HISTORY OF MODERN WHIST. 1/

ddle of this century. In the fall of 1857,
len the Ohio Life and Trust Company of
Cincinnati made one of the first of the many
disastrous failures of the decade, a party of gen-
tlemen at the Tremont House, Chicago, solaced
their grief for ill-fortune by a game of whist,
The play became very interesting, and lasted
many hours. For the first time within the
writer's knowledge honours were not counted ;
and after that date the players made the game
of seven points the game of Long Whist,

About ten years ago, a small club was formed
in Boston, whose members, having great respect
for the creed of the Folkestone Circle, deter-
mined to study whist to the promotion of a like
purpose, the glory of the game. Study con-
vinced them not only that it was necessary for
the development of the power of the cards that
all of them should be played, but that it was not
essential to shorten the game by giving points
to cards which did not make tricks. They
adopted James Clay's golden maxim, " It is of
more importance to inform your partner than to
deceive your adversary ; " and his precept, " The
best whist-player is he who plays the game in
the most simple and intelligible way." They
believed that the laws for that player should be
simple and intelligible, and framed a code of
distinguished difference from the voluminous
one that regulates the English play. Their

t6 AAfEHICAl/ WHIST.

method was at once prepared for assimilation
with and acceptance of improvements and in-
ventions which were somewhat rapidly to follow
each other, and which were destined to be of
the first importance to the permanency and
credit of the game. The discard from the strong
suit upon the opponent's trump play, the lead of
the penultimate, and the echo of the call had
been incorporated into the play of both Long
and Short Whist ; but it was after the introduc-
tion of the amended and revised game, in prac-
tice in this country, to which these students
gave the name of American Whist, that the lead
of ace, then king, if no more of the suit are
held ; of king, then knave from the four hon-
ours ; and of the 9, when king and knave, and
not ace or queen, are in hand, were adopted as
standard plays in the best ordered game.

The improvement upon the order for the echo
of the call ; the refusal by second-hand to play
queen on knave led ; the invention of the signal
by the rank of a card thrown ; the application of
a trump signal after trump exhaustion, to inform
partner of the quality of suit in hand ; and the
absolute denial of an original singleton lead, are
all American in theory and practice.

The plain suit echo is a part of the system
inaugurated by the introduction of American
Leads. The law of unblocking dates back a
century and a half, but its practice in detail in

The HisTOkY of modern^ whist, 19

conformity with specified leads was shown by
Cavendish in his book upon the new invention
entitled "Whist Developments." Some of his
labor is lost, however, by the introduction, of still
more recent date, of the new order of lead and
follow, which has received the name of the
" New Play."

" American Leads " are the invention of N. B.
Trist, Esq., of New Orleans, La.

The " New Play " is full of discoveries, of im-
provements upon former plans, and for them
fine players of Europe and America wear the
laurel.

The recent radical changes applied to practi-
cal play render obsolete many of the former
modes of management of cards, but they are in
conformity with the principle and are a welcome
addition to the practice of American Whist.

MEMORANDA.

In 1728, the first Lord Folkestone and his
friends at the Crown Coflfee House in London
devised a code of regulations for the play of the
new game of Whist. Upon the foundation laid
by these gentlemen the present superstructure
has been builded.

In 1837, M. Deschapelles of France con-
structed a theory of finesse and follow, and gave
laws for the management of the game as prac-
tised by the Parisian clubs.

In 1864, the Arlington Club (now "The
Turf ") of London officially accepted selections
made from the Deschapelles rules, and named
them the " Laws of Short Whist."

In 1878, the Berkeleys of Boston framed a
series of orders to govern the revision of Long
Whist, and called the new play the American
game.

In 1889, the Deschapelles Club of Boston
adopted a completed code of laws for the govern-
ment of American Whist.

LAWS OF AMERICAN WHIST.

1. Four persons out of any number, by agree-
ment, or by cutting or drawing lower cards than
the rest, form a table. These four may agree
upon partnership, or may cut to decide how they
shall play. In cutting, the ace is low.

2. The first dealer is he who of the four play,
ers has cut or drawn the lowest card. The
player on* his left shuffles the pack chosen by
the dealer, and the player on his right cuts, not
leaving less than four cards in each packet.
The cut, when both packets are on the table, is
the packet nearest the centre of the table. The
trump card, which is the under card of the cut,
must not be known until it is turned by the
dealer. If by accident it should be seen, or
if any other card is exposed when cutting, the
pack must be cut again. While the deal is be-
ing made, the dealer's partner shuffles the other
pack for his own right-hand opponent, who is
next to deal.

3. Either pack may be shuffled by any one of
three players while the other pack is being
dealt ; but as a rule, the cards having been shuf-
fled at the beginning by any of the players will
not again be 3huffled except as by Law 2, Whepi

22 AMERICAN WHIST.

shuffled, the pack must be placed at the left
hand of the next dealer.

4. The deal is lost if thirteen cards are not, in
regular succession, beginning at the dealer's left,
thrown before each player, if a card is exposed
while dealing, or if the last card is not turned
up at the dealer's right hand.

5. The cards dealt must not be gathered until
the trump card is turned.

6. The trump card shall remain upon the
table at the right hand of the dealer until three
players shall have played, but not after the
second round. The trick need not be turned to
constitute a round.

7. Each player upon taking up his cards
should count them. If he has not exactly thir-
teen, that is the time to report the misdeal, be-
fore a card is played. If at the close of a hand
a player is known to have held more or less
than his proper number of cards during the
play, his side loses a point and cannot score.
If both his opponents have their proper number,
they may score, if by tricks entitled to do so.

8. No conversation can take place during the
play. Whist is the game of silence. Talk-
ing must cease when the first leader throws his
card ; silence must continue until the last earn of
the hand is played. No word or act that gives
information concerning the play or situation of
any card by a player to either player or by-

LA WS OF AMERICAN WHIST. 23

stander is allowable between the turning of the
trump and the finish of the last round of the
hand.

g, A card that belongs in the hand must not
be drawn from it until it is time for the holder
to throw it as his lead or upon a trick. Cards
played must be thrown toward the centre of the
table. Each one should be seen by each player
as it falls. A player may move them, how-
ever, in order to see every one, but not after
they are gathered, and no motion is allowable
that identifies the player of any card.

10. If a player throws two or more cards
at once, or exposes a card unless to play it, or
plays out of turn, the card or cards so exposed
or thrown are taken into the hand, and for each
offending card he suffers the penalty of Law 15.
A card in a player's hand seen by another player
is an exposed card.

I r. Every trick taken must be gathered and
turned before the play of the following round is
completed. When a trick is turned it cannot
again be seen until the hand is played.

12. The cards are played for all the points
that can be made, and the number of points
made by each player may be kept upon the
counters or score cards. When the game won
is announced, the counters or score cards must
be set at o before the next deal is made. A
game consists of seven points, or as many more

'
^

i4 AMERICAN wmsT.

as may be made by the hand in which seven is
reckoned or reached. Each trick beyond six
made in the play of each hand counts one point.
A rubber is two games won out of three played,
or two games successively won. A rubber
game is the decisive game of three.

13. Every hand must be played out unless,
the game being decided to the satisfaction of
the losers, the cards are thrown down by one or
both. If the cards are so thrown down, the
game is at once counted against them, and a
point taken by the winners for each card in any
one hand.

14. The announcement of the score must be
made while the cards are in trick packets. The
score of the game must be called and counted
before the cards for the next deal are cut, but
the registry of the game on the club book may
be made at any time during the deal.

15. Penalties should always be enforced. A
penalty cannot be taken during the play, but
must be claimed and scored before the cards
are cut for the next deal. The cut is not volun-
tary, but is made by invitation of the dealer.
The penalty for the infringement of any law
is the deduction of one point from the score of
the offender, or the addition of one point to the
score of the claimant, as the adversaries upon
consultation, or either of them by permission of
the other, shall elect.

5. A revoke i
card of a different suit while holding a card of
the suit that is led. If a player, having thrown
a card that would cause a revoke, can substitute
the proper card for that thrown before the trick
is turned, he may do so, and suffer the penalty
of Law IS for having at first thrown a wrong
card. If in the mean time other cards have
been played, any or all of them can be recalled.

17. A revoke is established if the trick in
which it occurs be turned and quitted, or if
either the revoking player or his partner,
whether in his turn or otherwise, leads or plays
to a following trick.

iS. If a player revoke, his partner must share
with him the fault and penalty, — which is three
tricks taken from them, or three points taken
from their score, or three added to their ad-
versaries' score, at such adversaries' will ; the
revoke to be decided, by the examination of the
cards, if need be, at the close of the hand.
.Either party may make such examination for
Jany purpose. No score that wins the game can
be made by the revoking party.

RULES OF THE CARD-ROOMS OF THE
DESCHAPELLES CLUB.

1. The order of the game is silence. No
conversation is allowed while play is in prog-
ress.

2. " Bystander " is the term applied to each
person in the room who is not engaged in play.

3. A bystander, by permission of the players,
may look over one hand while it is being played
and converse with a player during the deaL

4. A bystander may report to the Committee
on Whist Regulations any impropriety in play.

5. A bystander has no other privilege, and if
he transgresses courtesy by remark or interrup-
tion that attracts the attention of a player, he
is responsible for causing that player to lose a
point.

DESCHAPELLES CLUB RULES.

1. The authority of the only card game to be
played in the rooms of the club is American
Whist Illustrated.

2. " During the deal " is the term applied to
the time between the taking of the last trick
of a hand and the turning of the next trump-
card. Silence, however, among the players is
not a demand until the first card of a hand is
thrown.

3. A player " during the deal " may converse
with whomsoever in the room he pleases, and if
he is engaged in conversation when the leader
is ready to play, the leader will consider the cir-
cumstances, and before he throws his card will
give the warning, "Ready/*

4. If, during the play at one table, conversa-
tion during the deal is held at another table,
courtesy requires that no interruption be caused
to the game in progress. Violation of etiquette
is violation of rule.

5. Players may agree as to which partner in
any hand may gather the tricks, but it is rulable
that the first trick made should be gathered and
turned by the partner of the winner, who places
it upon his left hand and adds to it in order the

28 AMERICAN WHIST.

tricks subsequently taken by his partner and
himself in that hand.

6. Players having the counters or score-cards
in charge will see to it, not only that they are
correctly kept, but that they are in proper place,
always at their right hand, in sight of all, and
that after a game is played and announced they
represent " no score " before the next deal is
made.

7. Three members, who shall constitute the
Committee on Whist Regulations, shall be chosen
at the annual meeting by the whist players. If
deviation from the order of leads is made upon
his original lead by any player, such play may
be reported to this committee by any of the
players or by any bystander. If the reasons
given by such player for making such lead are
unsatisfactory to the committee, he shall be in-
formed that his play was incorrect. Upon a
repetition of such play the committee shall notify
the club that any other player may properly
decline to play at the same table with the of-
fender. The decision of this committee in all
cases of appeal shall be final.

8. Match games may be played by the club
players with each other or with other players of
the American game, the number of rubbers
being specified, and the points made by each
party kept. See Law 1 2.

DESCHAPELLES CLUB RULES, 29

The members of the club respect the unwrit-
ten law that the dignity of their game permits
no wager. At its conclusion, the play of a hand
may be talked over and analyzed, to the advan-
tage of the players. Good play will be approved
and poor play criticised. No exultation because
of success, or regret because of defeat, will be
manifested. High cards will take low cards. It
is not a credit to hold the best, nor a discredit
to hold the lowest. Hands may be well played
and be beaten by hands that are badly played.
Censure is deserved by those who do not man-
age well the cards that are held. Credit belongs
to those who practise the best manner ot play.
The use of knowledge applied to the game, and
not the use of fortune applied to the score, pro-
claims the player.

AMERICAN WBtST.

TABLE OF ORIGINAL LEADS OF THE
HIGH CARDS.

«ad ace from —

Lead qoeen from -^
Ace, L, qn., and othets.

.\<x, k, qu-

Ace, L.kn-, and two ot more.

K.,qn,.o^>adthFee.

Ace, k., 10, 9, and more.

K, qo, \a, uid two.

Ace, k., and three.

IC, qu, 9, and two.

Ace, k.

K.. q.,, ^ three.

Ace, qu., kn., lo.

Qa,, kn.. 10, 9.

Ace, qu., kn.. and more.

Qu.. kn., \o, and ooe Or more.

Ace, qu., kn.

Ace, qu, lo. 9.

Q«,k^;^\

Ace, qu., 10, or 9 and mote.

Qu.. kiu and three.

Ace, qu, and three.

Qu. k., . and two bdow 7.

Ace, qu., and one.

Qu, kn., and one.

Ace, kn., 10. 9.

■ ,'u. tn.

Ace, kn, 10, and others.

I'l^. and two.

Ace, kn., 9, or 8 and others.

Lead knave from —

Ace, kn., and three.

Ace, k, qu, kn, ic^ 9.

Ace, to, 9, 8, and more.

Ace, k, qu.. kn, and more.

Ace, la and three.

K, qu, kn, and two.

Ace and four.

K., kn., 10, and more (in tr.}.

^ad king from —

Kn,io,9,8.

Ace, k., qu, kn.

Kn, to, 9; or more.

Ace, k, qu, and one.

Kn., 10, and two below 7.

Ace, k., kn., and one.

Kn. and two.

Ace, k, and one or two.

IC qu., kn, la

K.. qu.. kn., and one.

K., qu, kn.

K, qu., 10, and one.

K., qu., 9, and one.

Lead 10 from —

Ace, k, qu., kn, 10 (kn. in

K., qu, kn., 10, and more.
K., kn., 10, and others.

K., qu, and one.

Lead 9 from —

K,qu.

K., kn, 9, with or without

K., kn, and one.

others, except ace and qu.

The leads from any number of cards less than four
may be forced original leads from any player other
than the original leader. See pages 31 to 66. See
also pages 116 and 124.

ORIGINAL LEADS.^

When the term " fourth best " or " fourth "
is used, the word " original " is understood.

FROM SUITS HEADED BY THE ACE.

Holding ace, k., qu., kn., 10, 0, with or with-
out others, — lead kn., follow with lo. Partner
will not trump kn., originally led.

The sexieme sequence has its special lead.
When next instead of k. or qu. the lo is played,
the holding is proclaimed. In trumps, lead lo,
follow with 9, then ace.

Ace, k., qu., kn., 10, — lead lo. Partner will
not trump this original lead. Follow with ace
and the intermediate cards are proclaimed, be-
cause it is shown that ace is not held up, and
that the lead was not from k., kn., lo. This
combination is the only one requiring the orig-
inal lead of fifth best. In trumps, lead kn.,
then ID, then ace.

Ace, k., qu., kn., and others, — lead kn., fol

* See American LeadSfi^, 105, and 751^ New Play^"^, 125. See
also Objections^ p. 62.

32 AMERICAN WHIST.

low with qu. if holding three lower, with k. if
two lower. Formerly k. was led.

Aoe, k., gu., kn., and one small, — lead kn.,
follow with ace.

All the above are leads of the "new play."
They do not come under the head of the techni-
cal "American leads," because those relate ex-
pressly to three special situations ; but these
leads and others of recent invention as well as
the conventional leads are valuable in the new
system. In fact, the very recently adopted
leads of the " new play " furnish the clearer
e\'idence of numerical force. In this analysis
of the various leads mention will occasionally be
made of their belonging to either the Ameri-
can leads or the new play. Formerly the k.
would have been led originally from every one
of the above holdings. The new leads are tn-
formatory concerning the rest of the hand. In
the sexieme and quint sequences the leads and
follows are peculiar because the combination is
phenomenal. In the quart sequences the lead
of the kn. is preferable to the k. lead, since the
following play informs of numerical strength.
Formerly the holding of five cards was not pro-
claimed ; now five, or six, or seven can be shown.

Aoe, k., qu., kn., — lead k., follow with kn.
Ace and qu. only can remain. See K., qu., kn.,
and one.

OBIGINAL LEADS.

[Aoe, k., gu,, and others, — lead qu., follow
with k. if three or more small, with ace if but
two. Formerly k. was led.

Aoe, k., ga, and one

In trumps, lead qu., then ace.

Aoe, k., qu., — lead ace, then
The leader can have no more.

-lead k., then

then qu.

Aoe, k, fcn., and two or more, — lead ace
then k. By the new play, ace when not in
tierce sequence is led if five or more are heid.
Formerly k. was led. In trumps, lead k., dis-
tinguishing by second lead of ace the suit from
that of k., qu., lO, and three.

Aoe, k, kn., and one more, — lead k. For
the second lead it is proper to open another suit
and wait for knave finesse. In trumps, if three
roimds must be had, lead k, then ace, then kn.,
or small, according to the fall of the cards. The
trump lead from ace, k., under several combina-
tions is required by the rank of the cards to be
uniform, but the continuous play determines
situation.

Ace, k., 10, 9, and others, — lead ace, then
k, or follow with trump if strong. In trumps,
1 k and wait return.

AMERrcAU WHiST.

Ace, k., and three or more, — lead ace, then
k. This is the new play ; formerly k. was led.
The advantage lies in the announcement of a
greater number than four of the suit. In
trumps, if three rounds are not imperative, lead
fourth best unless with seven in all when lead
ace, then k.

Ace, k., and one or two more, — lead k., then
ace. It is always better to open a suit of four
than any one of three cards. In trumps with
four, lead the small card, if but three lead k.,
then ace, then small.

Aoe, k., — lead ace, follow at once with k.
This lead when made originally informs partner
that no more of the suit is in hand, that no com-
manding suit is held, that the leader cannot
have five trumps or four of strength. Partner
holding qu. of the suit can probably make it, or
holding low cards of the suit need not hesitate
to play them if he desires that they be trumped.
The fall of the cards and partner's hand will de-
termine for him that no more of the suit can be
held by the leader. In trumps the lead tells of
a good plain suit, one of which at once follows.

Aoe, qu., kn., 10, with or withoat others, —
lead ace then lo. The afterplay of qu.
determines the number held. The system

r kn. I

ORIGINAL LEADS. 35

American Leads and the new play informs by
direct means. It does not allow to denote num-
ber the skip of a card and a descending scale.
You play ace then 10 the fourth best, and you
hold qu. and kn. You cannot play ace then kn.
then 10, holding qu., to designate anything.
The new system is logical and respects the
mathematical rank of the cards.

Aoe, qu., kn,, and two or more, — lead ace
then kn., showing qu. and denying k.

Aoe, qu., kn., and one more, — ■ lead ace then
qu., showing kn.

Aoe, qu., 10, 9, with or without others, —
lead ace then g. The lead of the g, although
fourth best, would be incorrect, because the 9
should never be led originally unless to des-
ignate the holding of k. and kn. See K. Be-
sides it would be weak play, for if the k. in
opponent's hand will make after the ace is led,
it certainly can make if the ace is not led.

Aoe, qu., 10 or 9, and three small, — lead ace
then fourth.^ The lead of ace in trumps as-
sumes a small card turned. If kn. is turned on
the right, lead qu. The rank of the trump card

Lfads. See ^^n IrrigtUnr Ltads,\<. 211, and Ua-
blixting, p. 86.

36 AMERICAI^ WHIST,

and its situation are always to be considered in
trump leads and trump play.

Ace, qu., and three small, — lead ace, then
fourth.

Ace, qu., and two, — lead lowest, retaining
tenace. This is a good original lead, especially
if the small card is not below the 7. Players
declining to lead from this combination, in the
hope that the suit may be led up, are liable to
disappointment, since the opponent must hold
four to make such lead advisable. Partner, un-
less holding k. and three, will not probably lead
the suit. If he does hold k., the original lead
of small one he will take ; if he does not, the k.
is as liable to be on the left as on the right of
the leader.

Ace, qu., and one more, — lead ace, then qu.
If opponent holds k., partner is liable to hold
kn. If both honours are against, qu. cannot
make. From this combination or from any
other of three cards in plain suit, except an ace
tierce sequence, the original lead should not be
made. There must always be a suit of four,
and although it be of small cards, the lowest
card of it is the better lead.

Aoe, kn., 10, 9, with or without others, —
lead ace, then 9.

ORIGINAL LEADS. 37

Aoe, kn., 10, and others, — lead ace, then
fourth, unless k. or qu. fall, in which case follow
with 10.

Aoe, kn., 9 or 8, and others, — lead ace, then
fourth.

Aoe, kn., and three small, — lead ace, then
fourth.

Ace, kn., and two small, — lead lowest, hold-
ing the tenace.

Aoe, kn., and one more, — see Irregular Leads^
p. 212; also see p. 64.

Aoe, 10, 9, 8, and others, — lead ace, then 8.

Aoe, 10, 9, 8, — lead 8.

Aoe, 10, and three others, — lead ace, then
fourth. In trumps, lead fourth.

Aoe, 10, and two, — lead lowest. See .^4^^
and three.

Aoe, 10, and one. There is seldom occasion
for original lead from this combination. The
other suits may be exhausted, however, before
the player holding it has his opporturvitY ot

38 AMERICAN WHIST.

lead. Judgment must decide upon the play of
ace or lowest.

Ace, 9, 8, 7, — lead 7.

Ace and four, — lead ace, then fourth.

Ace and three, — lead the low card, unless
the low card is the 2, in which case ace may
be led, then 2, there can be but two more. The
Parisians lead ace at head of four. The distinc-
tion is made in American play, and the deuce is
not originally led as smallest card of a suit of
four, if ace is held, in plain suits.

Ace and two more, — generally lead ace.
Partner is more liable, at the time that the play
from this combination must be made, to be ben-
efited rather than hurt by the lead of the high
card.

Ace only. This is the only singleton play al-
lowable as an original lead. In trumps, it may
be played at any time.

The ace lead generally signifies the holding
of five cards of the suit.

AMERICAt<r WHIST.

KL, qu., 10, and two, — lead qu. By the
new play, qu., the second of the sequence is led,
designating five at least, of the suit. Formerly
k. was led.

K., qu., 10, end one more, — lead k.

K., qu., 9., and two or more, — lead qu.

K., qu., 9, and one, — lead k.

K., qu., and three or more, — lead qu. For-
merly k. was led.

K., qu., and two more, — lead k.

K., qu., and one, — lead k., if the suit must
be led.

K., kn., 10, 9, with or without any or all
lower cards, — lead g.

K., kn., 10, with or without others, ezoept
9, — lead lO. In trumps, lead kn., the Parisian

lead, and strong.

K., kn., 9, with or without any or all others
except ace and qu., — lead g. In trumps, if
lo is turned on the right, lead kn.

FROM SUITS HEADED BY THE KING. 4 1

K., kn., and any other three or more, — lead
fourth.

K., 10, and any other three or more, — lead
fourth.

K., and any four, — lead fourth.

K., and any three, — lead lowest.

K., and any two, — lead k. You may lead
directly up to a major tenace, but in such case
it is an even chance that partner holds kn. or 10.

K., and one, — lead k. when a forced lead,
and especially if declared the partner's suit.

K. only is never led.

The k. lead signifies the holding of four cards
of the suit of which either ace or qu. is one.

Holding qu., ko., 10, 9, with or without

others, — lead qu., follow with g. The kn, and
10 are shown. If the suit is continued, the play
of lo shows at least two ; of kn., one more small.

Qu., kn,, 10, and others, — lead qu., follow
with lo if two; with kn., if one small. The qu,
is the third card in rank, and not reckoned a
trickmaker. Played as the head of a sequence,
if a higher card falls, the kn. or lo is equally
informatory. The error of leading the lowest
of a qu. sequence is apparent.

Qu., kn., 10, and one or no more, — lead

qu., follow with kn. There can be but four
cards at most in hand, and if four, one must be
the 10. See Qu., hi., and two.

Qu., kn., 10, —

FROM SUITS HEADED BY THE QUEEN. 43

Qu., kn., and two, the sniallest not lower
' than the 7, — lead lowest,

Qu., kn,, and two smEiIl, — lead qu., then

lowest as possible chance for the kn. This lead
from four cards is better than the lead of a small
card that is liable to be taken by one lower than
the kn. Only one trick in this suit is probable,
and if the qn does not make, a high card is
drawn and the kn. has its chance ; if the qu does
make, the kn. may also make. The qu. at the
head of many combinations may safely be led,
because of its rank as third best card, able to
draw those that are higher, and to demonstrate
1^ the fall of the cards what remains in hand.

Qu., kn., and one small, — lead qu., then kn.

Qu., 10, 9, 8, with or without others, — lead
LS) fourth best. American lead.

QiL, and any other three or four, — lead
fourth.

Qu., and any other two or one, — lead qu, but
only when a forced lead. A forced original lead
from qu., and two or even one may be required
in this manner ; several rounds may have been
played before this leader has the lead. The qu.
Kmay have been declared to be of the partner's

44 AMERICAN WHIST.

suit, or the fall of the cards may have denoted
that any other play which the leader can make
must injure j)artner's hand.

The original lead of the qu. at the head of any
three has sometimes been thought more availa-
ble than the opening of a suit of four, especially
if that suit is composed of low trumps. This is
an error. The qu. so led is not, as has been
said, a strengthening card, but, on the contrary,
the lead is prejudicial to the partner's interest.
He is deceived by such original lead and may
properly give the leader a double tcnace which
he does not care to open in another suit, and
only three small trumps. If such is the leader's
holding, he is justified in making the play, not
otherwise.

In estimating the propriety of a lead, the
rank of the card must be taken into the account.
A plain suit will seldom run three times. The
ace and k. only can be considered master cards.
From the qu. downward, neither ace nor k. being
held, the power to capture tricks must depend
upon bringing down those high cards and by the
aid of trumps establishing the lower portion of
the suit. If the qu. therefore leads a long suit,
there is good reason for leading such head of se-
quence. But if the qu. and two small cards are
held and either card is led, the opponent may
make every trick in the suit. The new play of
qu. when k. and three others are held has given

FROM SC//TS HEADED BY THE QUEEN, 45

to the qu. a new power. Added to this, the new
play of qu. representing five of a suit in other
combinations requires that no original lead shall
be made that may prove deceptive. It is better,
therefore, to open another four suit if possible,
in preference to qu., kn., and two small. If,
however, it is the best original lead of the hand,
the continuous play will decide why it was made.

Qu. only is never led.

The qu. lead generally signifies the holding
of five of the suit.

FROM KNAVE AT HEAD OF SUIT.

Holding kn., 10, 9, 8, with or without
others, — lead kn., then 8.

Kn., 10, 9, and two more, — lead kn., then g.

Kn., 10, 9, and one or no more, — lead kn.,
then ro. There can be but two more at most
in hand, and one must be the 9.

Kn., 10, and any two, — lead kn., then lowest,
as the possible chance for the 10.

Kn., 9, and two or more, — lead foi
Kn., and any three, — lead fourth.

Kn., and any two, — lead kn., when forced
lead. The kn. is the fourth best card in rank,
and whenever it heads the proper suit from which
to lead, the holder had best play the hand not for
himself, but for the partner. The after play-
should be adapted to what seems to be the part-
ner's desire.

Kn. only is never led.

The kn. lead generally signifies the holding
of five cards of the suit.

AT HEAD OF SUIT.
Holding 10, 9, 8, 7, with or without others,

10 and any other three, — lead fourth.
10 and any two, — lead lO, a forced lead.

Sequences below the honours lose their sig-
nificance, and the highest card is not led.

FROM 9 AT HEAD OF SUIT.

Holding 9, 8, 7, 6, with or without others, —
lead 6.

9 and any other three, — lead fourth,

9 and two more if trumps, and call has been
made, — lead 9.

Having led from one pl^ suit, lead 9, but
never lead 9 originally, except to denote k. and
kn. and absence of ace and qu. The rank of
the card as sixth best gives it special power
as the low card of the highest intermediate ten-
ace, the only tenace that can be shown by any
single play. At no time is the 9 required to be
originally led at the head or foot of any other
combination.

48 AMERICAN WHIST.

FROM 8 AT HEAD OF SUIT.

The 8 is the middle card. When led origi-
nally, three higher cards are held. From a se-
quence of 8, 7, 6, 5, therefore, the S is led, and
if the 8 heads any other combination of four, the
fourth is led.

Hands have been held called Yarboroughs, in
which the best card is an 8. There is no record
of a hand that was not arranged for a purpose
in which the 7 was the highest card. In a Yar-
borough, there must be a suit of four cards, and
the holder should lead the lowest card of that
suit. It has happened that a Yarborough in
which was four trumps was of service to the
partner who led trumps, the echo allowing him
to place the rest and win the game. It matters
not what cards are held. The merit lies in lead-
ing properly from any hand, and in playing what-
soever cards compose it in the most correct

SUMM

The summary of the Original Lead is as fol-
lows : —

The ace is led as the head of anyone of many
combinations, the quality of each demonstrated
by the second lead.

The k. is led from a suit of four cards of
which ace or qu. is one, or in trumps as the best
of a certain six, the second lead explaining the
reason for the first.

The qu. is led from any one of many com-
binations, the residue of the holding shown by
the following play.

The kn. is led from any one of four combi-
nations, trumps included.

The 10 is led as the lowest of a quint se-
quence, the lowest of a quart sequence with
more, and to designate the k. and kn.

The 9 is led to show the holding of k. and kn.
and the absence of ace and qu. The lO may be
led for a like purpose, but it may also be led for
some other purpose. The g is led for no other
purpose. Its mathematical position as the sixth
card gives it advantage over any other to make
an integral and exclusive lead. In proof of this,
it is only requisite to make the trial by compari-
son. Suppose the lO to be led to indicate only

50 AMERICAN WHIST.

the highest tenace. What is to prevent the loss
of two tricks to the k. and kn. ? What shall be
played when k., kn., 10 are held ? What shall
be the lead of quint to ace ? Of quart to k ?

Or suppose that the 10 should be given the
place of the 9, and only be led to indicate k. and
kn. The quint sequence could not be desig-
nated, nor the quart sequence to k., with others.
The rank of the 10 as the fifth best compels its
triplicate use. The 9 can represent no sequence,
for if at the head of one, it can never establish
a suit ; and if at the foot of one, there must be a
card of that sequence, more proper to be led.
Nor can it be led as the fourth best (e.\cept
when k., kn. 10 are held) because there is al-
ways better play to be made. As it is the low-
est card of the highest intermediate tenace, its
original play is the challenge of that tenace.
The argument is that the 9, which from over-
sight of its usefulness and careless disregard for
its rank has been termed "equivocal," is the
most unequivocal card.

The issue is in this wise : —

There are six high cards. Two of these are
trickmakers. There is not a probable nonnaJ
third round. The play of any one of the other
four, whether it precedes or follows the play of
either of the two higher, is determined in accord-
ance with the relation of that card to one or

SUMMARY. 51

E; authoritative two. If any one of the
ginally led, it must proclaim one of
those two or must challenge one of them.

The qii. and kn, respectively proclaim or chal-
lenge one or both of them.

The 10 proclaims one of the two and the fol-
lowing play may show the holding of the other.

The 9 at once proclaims one of the two and
challenges the other.

The order for the original play of every card
below the g is that it shall be the fourth best of
the suit.

Any one of the foregoing leads,' it is sup-
posed, may be the original one by an original
leader. Any one of them is of course to be
chosen as the first lead of any other player ; but ,
he is to regard what has been played, and he 1
may have less reason than the first player for
making a conventional or systematic lead,
may be proper for him to return at once his
partner's lead, or to lead up to the weak through
the strong hand.

The leads suppose a small card turned. They
suppose a necessity exists for the lead from a
given suit held, as the best opening play. In
their continuation they suppose that no player
has renounced upon the first round.

If a lead is to be made up to a trump turned,
■ See Tables of Leads on pp. Il6and 124.

52 AMERICAN WHIST.

it is proper to f)lay a card that will take it, if
none higher should be thrown.

For instance, — holding ace, qu., lO, etc., kn.
turned, lead qu. With k., kn., 9, etc., lO turned,
lead kn. With qu, kn., 9, the lO turned, lead
qu., — which is better than kn., because partner
will give you kn. in hand ; but if you throw kn.,
he would not give you qu. With kn., 10, S, the
9 turned, lead kn. If you are to lead through
an honour turned on the left, it is not essential
that the card should be as high as that turned if
there are probabilities of partner holding one
higher. Holding kn. sequence, k. or qu. turned
on the left, lead kn.

Should an honour be turned on the right, and
the leader would have trumps out, he should not
hesitate to lead up to it. If it must make, let
him require it to do so as soon as possible. If,
however, he holds tenace over it, and can soon
enough call the play of a trump from partner,
very well ; and whenever a k., qu., or kn, is so
turned, a good partner weak in trumps will be
on the lookout for such call. When therefore a
high card (not an ace) is turned on the leader's
right, and the first player throws a low card of
a plain suit, the leader's partner, holding but
one or two trumps, will take the trick if he can
and play a high card, to give original leader the
opportunity to calL When the means for mak~
ing tricks or game are in the leader's hand, he

SUMMARY. S3

should attempt to direct and control the play,
and a good partner will sacrifice his own hand
to help the result.

It does not follow that because a player holds
many trumps he should lead a trump. It may
or may not be best. There is no regularity
in hands at whist ; they are constantly excep-
tional. There is not one hand in ten held by
a good player by the proper management of
which he does not make, or help to make, the
one trick that could have been lost. There is
not one hand in ten held by an ordinary player
by the improper management of which he does
not lose, or help to lose, the one trick that
could have been gained. For whist is a game
played hand after hand for one trick that is made
or lost in each hand ; all the rest might be
taken, let the cards that are dealt be played {so
that no revokes are made} with any form of lead
and follow. A hand of many trumps may be
played so that the k. or qu. will make, while the
7 or 6 will be lost. If the 7 or 6 ought not by
correct play to have been lost, there is very
much more blame to be attached to the play that
loses that card than credit to the play that takes
the trick with an honour.

A former plan of always leading trumps from
five is obsolete. We have better play. Again,
the lead from the longest suit may be suicidal.
A. held the ace and k. of spades, the 10 and five

54 AMERICAN WmST.

small hearts, three little clubs, and the kn, and

8 of diamonds, lo of diamonds turned. If A.
had led a heart he would have forced his part-
ner and lost the game. He threw ace of spades,
then k. ; B. called ; A. played kn. of diamonds,
which took ; he followed with S. B. took with
qu. and forced with spade, trumped ace of hearts
(led from ace, qu., kn., etc.), drew k. and thir-
teenth trump with ace, and made remaining
spades and game, the four honours in hearts and
in clubs against him.

A trump lead, k., qu. or kn. at the head of the
suit and not in sequence, or it may be with two
in sequence, will usually depend upon the skill
of the player for success. The general player
with many trumps beaded as above almost al-
ways loses a trick. The careful watch of the
cards with inferences as to what is held in each
hand is a necessity. The cards that fall upon
the original fourth-best led (whether the first or
second lead) are the guides by which a skillful
player will sometimes make every other trick in
the suit.

Though conventional and systematic leads are
ordered as the best that can be devised, they are
subject to the judgment of the player. Excep-
tional hands demand exceptional treatment.
Usually, some one of the plays in the analysis
is the best to be made as an original lead. Usu-
ally, too, when the next player has the leadj one

SUMMARY. 55

of the leads of record is the best for him to

make. But the constantly recurring beautiful
problem in whist is the necessity for new-made
calculation. A man who merely plays pictures,
holding ace and k. and others of a suit, throws
the k. and then the ace ; and if he finds a call is
made by partner, he leads a trump, If he sees
no call he is relieved from further responsibility,
and takes or relinquishes what follows with a
smile if the biggest picture is held by himself or
partner, or with a sigh if it is not. It is true
that wherever the high cards are held there
must the tricks be gathered ; but there will be
a difference in the number of those tricks, or es-
pecially in the manner by which they are taken,
dependent upon the education of the player.
Whist must be played by brain power.

It was natural that when the system of Amer-
ican leads was proposed in England the oppo-
sition to its adoption should be violent and sin-
cere. It is not strange that there were a great
many second-class players in this country who
believed (and perhaps they still believe) that
whatever was said or done by persons on the
other side of the water must take precedence of
anything that could be said or done on this side.
But it happens that the best players, here and
there, saw at once the value of the system.
There were, there are, obstinate objectors to its
domination. They say that the game is compli-

^^ There we
^^ dominatit

Jfi AMERICA!^ WHIST.

cated by its use. They do not tell wherein,
it would be a difficult task to make good the
assertion, since the American system requires
only, (i) That the leader holds exactly three
cards higher than the low card led ; (2) That if
he leads a high card and then a low one, he has
exactly two cards higher than his second lead ;
and (3) That having led a high card, when fol-
lowing with another high one he plays the high-
est of two equally good if he has but four cards
of the suit, and the lowest of the two if he has
five. See American Leads, p. 105.

In the words of Cavendish, Al! an American
leader asks his partner to observe is —

1. That when he originally leads a low card he

holds exacdy three of the suit higher than the
card led.
Example. A. holds qu., 10, 8, 6, 3, 2 j he leads
the 6.

2. That when he originally leads a high card and

then a low one, he still holds exactly two
cards higher than the second card led.
Example. A. holds ace, kn., 9, 7, 4; he leads
ace, then 7.

3. That when he originally leads a high card and

follows it with a high card, he indicates in
many cases to any one who knows the analy-
sis of leads, as every whist-player ought,
whether his strong suit consisted of four or
more than four cards.
Example. A. holds kn., 10, 9, 7, 6 ; he leads kp.,

, and ]

ft °

SUMMARY. 57

then 9; or, A. holds kn., 10,9, 7; he leads
kn., then 10.

It would seem as if the above directions were
as free from complication as any plan that can
be named.

There was another weak objection ; namely,
that they seldom affect the result. They are
not intended or expected any more to change
the relative value of the cards in play than they
are to change the cards that are held. " They
only consolidate," says Cavendish, " the received
practice, and extend a law of uniformity to cases
not previously provided for."

There was a third objection. It was that the
information afforded may be of more use to the
opponents than to the leader's partner.

Of course it may, and so may any play at any
time. This last objection is perhaps no weaker
than either of the other two ; but it is of no
avail, for whist is a game in which the leader's
business is to tell his partner by the cards all
that he can tell of what he holds. He is not to
consider that other people do or do not under-
stand. In fact, he plays best who is able by his
play to impart the most information.

This most admirable system of American
Leads may be used to greatest advantage by
players of American and English whist ; the
objections to it being invalid, it must come into
universal use. It will be proper to remember

58 AMERICAN WHIST.

that even as the card turned is the trump that
influences the play of the entire hand, so the
card that is first led is the demonstration of the
leader's purpose. It begins the attack ; it noti-
fies the opponents that, notwithstanding what is
shown by the dealer, it is the suit, whether
trumps or not, which is the leader's best, of
which he intends either to keep the control or
which he means to establish. In this regard
Cavendish says : " It should be borne in mind
that American Leads in their integrity assume
not merely an original lead but the original lead
of the hand, — the very first lead of VII. When
a player obtains the lead for the first time, after
one or more tricks have been played, he may
open his strong suit in the same way as though
he were the original leader. On the other hand,
he may deem it advisable to open a weak suit,
or to lead through a strong one or up to a weak
one, or if great strength in trumps has been de-
clared against him, may wish to conceal the fact
that his best suit is only a very long one of
small cards ; or if late in the hand, he may con-
clude that the time for precise exhibition of
strength is past and gone. These, however, are
matters of judgment, for which no hard and fast
rule can be laid down."

To sum up the matter of the first lead. Gen-
erally lead from the strongest suit. If it con-
sists of five or more and is not one of specified

SUMMARY. 59

or distinct combination (p. n6), and is headed
by the ace, lead the ace and then the original
fourth best. If it is headed by the king from k.,
qu., and two small, lead the k. ; if it takes, lead
ike original fourth best. If it is headed by the
king, and the next cards are kn. and lO, then
small ones, lead the lo; and if it takes, lead the
original fourth best. If it is k., kn., lo, g, etc.,
lead the g ; and if it takes, lead one of the high
cards according to the number to be specified
composing the suit. If it is headed by the k.
in any other combination, lead the original fourth
best ; and So of any other series that form a part
of a hand.

The secret of the value of the lead according
to the newly adopted plan lies in the fact that
the leader, at once communicates with his partner
as to the formation of his hand. The old-time
leader, for instance, holding ace, kn., 8, 7, 3, 2,

I led the ace and then the 2, perhaps the 3. The
partner knew that was his best suit, and that
was all ; he did not know of what cards it was
composed. Now, the leader plays ace and then
the 7. He must have two cards of that suit
higher than the 7. The fall of the cards and
the suit of his own hand inform the partner
what those two cards are.
One more example, that this matter may be
as clear as possible. The leader holding ace,
kn., 8, 7, 6, in trumps would lead the 7 (there

6o AMERICAN WHIST,

must be three higher) ; in plain suits, the ace

and then the 7 (there must be two higher).

In connection with this order for the lead we
call special attention to the one best original,
because the most informatory, play that can be
made, the leader holding k., kn,, 10, g, with or
without small ones, and quote the order of Cav-
endish concerning it, in full: —

Lead 9, even though you hold the 8.
((?) If 9 wins the trick, —

With more than five in suit, lead 1

With only five in suit, lead knave after 9.
{S) If 9 forces qu, or both qu. and ace, —

With more than five in suit, lead 10 after

With five in suit, lead knave after 9.

With only four in suit, lead king after g.
(f) If 9 forces ace but not qu., king must be ted

after 9. Then (third lead), with more

than four in suit originally, lead 10 after

king
With only four in suit, lead knave after king.

" No doubt," says Cavendish, " moderate play-
ers may lack the quick perception which would
enable them to take full advantage of the Amer-
ican rules. This is no reason why better play-
ers should be deprived of that advantage."

The one reason why there are so many "mod-
erate players" is simply because they are con-

SUMMARY. 6 1

tent to remain as they are. A man never
rises above mediocrity in whist who has not
brains to comprehend its mode of management,
and disposition to study it in detail. The " mod-
erate player/' ever ready to get in his little
trump, explain the status of his hand, and hurry
up the instant play that there may be another
deal, will continue to be the " moderate " player,
firm in the belief that he understands the game
and that he plays it.

Most recently the added leads of the New
Play have made complete the leader's method
of conveying information by the cards. These
leads have all appeared in the Analysis, p. 31,
et seq., and their history is told on p. 125, et seq.

OBJECTIONS.

We follow the Analysis of the Order with a
synopsis of prohibitions in the matter of original
leads ; and inasmuch as the player is to exercise
his judgment as to whether it is or is not proper
for him to accept an ordered lead, so whenever it
becomes a necessity he will make some one of
these objectionable plays. See Irregular Leads,

p. 212.

Do not lead from a double tenace, especially
if you can induce the play of the suit to come
up to you.

Do not lead from a major tenace, if you have
a lead that may benefit but cannot deceive part-
ner.

Do not lead, unless very strong in suits, from
three trumps, or even four, for the purpose of
exhausting trumps. The lead of trumps after
they have been played by partner or adversary,
or after a trick or tricks have been trumped by
either party, must depend upon conditions which
the player will understand; but an original lead
from three trumps may give the opponents a
game that by other play could have been made
by the leader. Players of three trumps at the

OBJECTIONS.

start sometimes quote the "rash trump-leading"
of Deschapelles. They do not consider that he
always felt his way before making his trump-
lead, and, judging by what cards fell and what
had fallen, forced two rounds of trumps for the
benefit of his after-play.

Do not lead the highest of four cards, except
in sequence, unless it be the ace of trumps on
your first lead upon your partner's call. The ex-
ceptions to this direction are, — when you play
the Deschapelles coup, or when an ace is led by
you purposely to apprise partner of its situation,
or to make a trick, opponents having thrown
away from the suit. The Parisians lead ace at
head of four in plain suits. Of course the lead
with us at times is allowable, especially if the
2 can be the second lead, for then the leader can
have held no more than four.

Do not lead lowest of three cards, excepting
k., kn., 10, or k., kn., 9, unless ace or k. is the
best of the three, and not then if the lowest card
is the 10 or 9.

Do not lead from ace or k. and one other, ex-
cept in sequence.

Do not lead from any two cards except ace
and king.

Do not lead from three cards, unless to play
the highest for benefit of partner.

Do not, when forced, lead a low card with k.,
qu., or kn. heading the three, but lead the highest.

64 AMERICAN WHIST,

Do not lead a singleton unless it be the ace of
trumps.

Do not lead a 9 unless you have k. and kn. and
not ace or qu.

Do not lead a 10 at the head of three, unless
in sequence of three. The requirement to lead
this card at the head of three is very occasional.

Do not lead the 9 as the lowest of any four
except k., kn., 10, g.

Do not lead ace at the head of four unless you
have the deuce to use for second lead, explaining
the situation.

Do not lead from three cards, two of which
form a high tenace, — for instance, ace, kn., and
another, or ace, 10, and another. If the lead
must be made, it may occur at a time when the
ace had best at once take a trick ; perhaps, how-
ever, you can afford to hold the tenace ; the lead
must be one of judgment.

Do not lead from ace, kn„ 10. If the lead
must be made, play ace that you may not deceive
partner ; he holding either k. or qu. would play
neither on 10 led, and so either in fourth hand
would make. Second hand holding k., qu., and
others would not pass 10 led at the time in the
play in which it would be likely to be thrown ;
for ace and kn. would both be believed to be in
third or fourth hand, and the queen second hand
would probably not be a losing play upon a lead
shown to be enforced, and would insure com-

OBJECTIONS.

raand of the suit. This especially if trumps are
exhausted. The lead of the kn. would not avail
except by accident.

Do not lead originally from a suit of three, if
you have a suit of four, plain suit. A hand so
evenly divided you will probably play for part-
ner's benefit, and you had best show him by
negative action toward the other suits that you
are not strong in them.

There are four modes of lead, vis. ; from the
long suit, from the short suit, from master
cards, and to throw the lead. The original lead
is made from the long suit when there is proba-
bility of making tricks with the cards of which
it is composed. There are justifiable short suit
leads, especially if the player is not the origi-
nal leader of the hand. It may be better play
to lead qu. from qu., kn., and 6, than to lead a
trump from four or five, or to lead a tenace card.
But it is a principle of whist that no deception
shall be practised by the lead, therefore a player
is never warranted in leading originally from two
cards, neither of them trickmakers, nor from
three cards not of strength, when by such lead
he imposes on his partner or the table. A
player must hold thirteen cards in all, and if he
has a suit of two, he must have one or two suits
of at least four. It is clear that he has no right
in an informatory game to experiment, at the
risk of confusing all the players, by the lead of a

AMERJCAN^ WHIST.

card which in no wise interprets the quality of
his hand.

The leader may choose to play a master card
when holding a suit that is longer than the one
from which he makes his original lead. He
may have ace, k., kn., and 4, and play the k.,
while holding qu, and four or kn. and four of
another suit, or perhaps four or five or six trumps.
He deceives no one, and after throwing the k.
may change the suit.

Throwing the lead by the leader at the begin-
ning of a hand is sometimes good play. It must
not be done by speculation and the play of a
false card. A has ace, qu., kn., and three small
trumps, k. turned on his right, k., kn., 10, of
a suit, and two small cards of two suits. He
may properly lead the 10 and hope to call on
either suit that is afterward led. He is not
privileged to lead from one of the short suits.

There is a logical conclusion from correct
play which it is important that all players should
understand. It is that the most tricks are
taken in the best manner by adherence to the
principles of the game Whenever a lead is
made without proper reason, the hand is demor-
alized by a player who is unreliable.

SECOND HAND.

The "moderate" — a good word by Caven-
dish — second-hand player has nothing to do,
as he beheves, but to throw his lowest card.
But this is not always whist. Second hand not
only has duties to perform, but may be of great
avail, and at once. A general order belongs to
each hand held, — to the first, play from your
master suit ; to the second, play your lowest
card ; to the third, play your highest card ; and
to the fourth, play whatever will take the trick.
The rule is positive ; the exceptions are power-
ful.

The reasons for the play of a low card by you,
the immediate follow of the lead, when you can
play a higher card than the one thrown, are, —
first, the leader has probably good cards or a
long suit, and you may make efficient your high
card in an after-play, should he finesse upon a
return lead ; second, third hand will play his
best card if needed, and if it takes your best you
have played to no purpose ; third, there are two
players to follow you, and your partner's play
may strengthen your position ; fourth, by the
play of the low card on a lead upon which your
left-hand opponent will play a high one, you on
his lead oi any suit become last pVaycT,

68 AMERICAJ^ WHIST.

But the commonly received opinion by the or-
dinary player that the second hand is of small
consequence, since third or fourth hand must de-
termine the result of the round, is challenged
by the following exceptions to the lowest-card
play: —

1. When holding two in sequence or a tierce
sequence of the suit.

2. When holding a double tenace.

3. If a 9 is led, and you hold qu. and one, or
10 and others,

4. If you desire to begin a call for trumps.
J. If you hold a fourchette.

6. If you hold ace of a suit of which kn. is
led.

7. If you hold a combination from which a
certain card must win, the card led proclaiming
the combination in the leader's hand,

8. When you hold the k., or the qu., and one
more in trumps led.

9. When the lead is your own strong suit, and
you can stop its play and wait for a finesse.

10. When you can take the trick and keep
the command.

i:. When holding two cards, the one a high
one, the other the next below the lead.

12. If a 10 IS led, and you hold qu. and one
more.

13. When holding k., qu., 9. and others, knave
led, joii care to insist upon the play of the ace

if in third hand.

SECOND HAND. 69

14, When planning any description of finesse
upon the very first lead of the hand.

To show the influence of the second-hand
play, it will be proper to explain the value of
these exceptions to the conventional play of the
low card : —

1. If you do not play the lowest of the se-
quence, a lower card than one of that sequence
may be played third hand, and your partner's
best card of the suit, perhaps the ace, required
to take the trick. Suppose the 3 of hearts is
led. You hold qu., kn., 4. If you throw the 4,
hoping that k. may fall third, and ace fourth,
third hand instead plays 10, forcing your part-
ner's ace. Had you played the kn., you would
not only have taken the trick, but from your
partner's under-play lead might have made three
tricks in the suit. Again, you hold 10, 9, 6.
The lead is the 5 from qu., kn., 7, 5. If you
play the 6, third hand the 8, the trick costs your
partner's k. If you throw the 9, third hand will
play the 2, and your partner the 4, — holding
the other two tricks with ace and king.

2. Holding ace, qu., 10, and another upon a
small card led, play either qu. or 10, usually qu. ;
for you are left with a strong tcnace. But 10
is the proper play if you are strong in trumps.

3. If in this case you hold double tenace, play
ID, as k. and kn. must be: in leader's hand ■, loi

J>0 AMERICAN WHIST.

if he plays the best whist, he will never lead
originally a 9 unless he holds those ckrds.
Holding qu. and one more, play qu. ; with two or
more, pass the 9; holding 10 and others, play
the 10. An after-play of a lower card in the
suit is not a call for trumps.

4. Play an unnecessarily high card, the best
of two small ones, if you can do so. Partner
will see a 4 and afterward a 3 as readily as first
a kn. and then a 5. Moreover, there is less
chance for the opponents to notice a small card
thrown ; and you must compliment your part-
ner's observance by non-demonstration,

5. If a 10 is led, and you hold kn., g, and an-
other, the lead is a forced original one from the
highest of three : play the kn. ; it forces third
hand, may benefit your partner, and does you no
harm. Again, if a qu, is led, and you hold k.,
kn., and 6, play k. ; for if you bring the ace

I from third hand you have command j if it is with
partner you make three tricks. Fourchettes are
seldom held against the original suit of the orig-
inal leader, but sometimes against the enforced
lead of an after-player.
6. The knave as an original lead is from k.,
qu., kn., and two cards, when of course ace is
your proper play ; or from kn. at the head of
sequence, upon which you also play ace unless
you hold the k. or k. and qu. besides. Holding
ace and qu., play ace. It is folly to play qu., as
the k. must be beyond you.

SECOND HAND. 71

The old rule of Cavendish printed in the re-
vised tenth edition, and in editions foUowing,
was, " If an honour is led, and you have a higher
honour and numerical weakness, cover it." This
order continued to be obeyed until in "Ameri-
can Whist " it was rebuked as follows : " If kn. is
led, and you have qu. and small ones, it is useless
to play qu, ; for neither ace nor k, is on your right,
while 10 and 9 may be there. If you play qu.,
C, k., and B. ace, you have gained the trick in-
deed, but you would have had it if you had not
sacrificed qu., and you have established D.'s suit.
If you hold k., qu., and others, you do not play
qu. on kn., for D. has not ace, and either C. or
B. will take the kn."

7. Holding ace, k„ 10, 4, the 8 led, play the
10; it must take the trick.

8. The k. or qu. wi!I make then or probably not
at all, since the leader holding three, four, or five

Ismail ones with ace will lead fourth-best card ;
and you also run an equal chance between third
hand and partner.
g. Holding ace, k.,kn., and others, playk. ; ace
and kn. will eventually make.
10. Holding ace, k., and several more, take
with k. and do not play the suit.
1 1. Holding k. and 7, the 8 led, there is no
avail in keeping k.
12. The play of the qu. may save the partner's
ace,
L Ji' — m

72 AMERICAN WHIST.

13. Third hand may have ace and two small
ones, and decline to take the knave unless forced
to do so.

14. Finesse in whist occurs anywhere, and at
any time. You may desire at the outset to block
the leader's game, or to risk against third hand
a card that will give you either lead or control.

All these important plays by second hand are
supplemented by those that demand the player's
attention in the after-play.

In the second round he is to play the winning
card to gain the trick or help the partner, or to
avoid doing so if it has been proved that third
hand was weak, and not to do so in trumps if he
holds well in them, especially if with winning
cards. He is to finesse by trial, and on him
rests all responsibility of the returned finesse.
His play to save his partner is at times of great-
est consequence. The trick that wins or loses
the game is not infrequently for him to maJ^e.
For instance: clubs led originally by D., from
qu. and three small ones. A. holds 10, 4, 2 ; A.
plays 2, C. plays kn., and B. takes with k. Af-
terward, trumps exhausted, D. leading again
plays another small club. If now second hand
throws the 4, C. plays the 9 and draws the ace.
If second hand plays 10 he takes the trick, and
the ace may capture qu. Good players, therC'
fore, attach great importance to correct second,
hand play.

ANALYSIS OF SECOND HAND.
WITH THE ACE.

Holding aoe, k., qu., with or without others,
— play lowest of sequence.

Aoe, k., kn., — play k.

Aoe, k., and others, — play k. ; but in trumps,
unless qu. is led, it is well to pass the lead.

Aoe, k., only, — play k.

Ace, qu., kn., and others, — play lowest of
sequence.

Aoe, qu., 10, and others, — generally qu.,
but strength in trumps will determine if lo had
best be played. The card l^d will sometimes
help the decision. For instance, with g led,
play 10 and hold the tenace over k. and kn ;
with 7 led, play lo, for the lead must be from k.
or kn. In trumps, play lo, for the larger tenace
is the best to hold.

Aoe, qu., 10 only, — play lo.

Aoe, qu., and others, — play a low card unless
kn. is led, when play ace. It is a poor play to cover
with qu. ; the leader cannot have k. The lead
in American whist adopted from the Parisian
code in trumps is kn. When holding k. and lO,
one of the leader's three cards will make; there-

74 AMERICAN WHIST.

fore cover kn. with ace. Whether lo or 9 is
led, play qu.

Ace, kn., 10, and others, — in plain suits, a
low card. The leader has not k. and qu. ; one
at least of these cards is beyond you. In trumps,
play 10, for then the leader may have both k.
and qu.

Ace and others, — if five in suit, play ace ; in
trumps,* a small card. The leader must have
four, perhaps five ; and in plain suit, if your
partner does not take the trick, you passing,
you may not make a trick in the suit. To save
the ace from being trumped it had best be
played upon the lead. In trumps, holding a
good plain suit, avoid the play of the ace even
on the second round. See p. 80,

WITH THE KING.

Holding fc., qu., kn., — play lowest of se-
quence,

K., qu., and others, — generally play qu. ; in
trumps, a low card. Having but three in suit,
play qu. Pass the kn. led, unless you care to
bring down ace if in third hand.

K., kn., 10, — lowest of sequence.

K., kn., and others, — a low card, unless qu.
is led,

K., 10, and others, — a low card.

K. and others, — a low card.

From either qu. or kn., or lo or 9, play lowest
of sequence or a low card, unless with a four-
chette, or with only two in suit risking the re-
turn of a trump from partner.

Play ace on either qu. or kn. led ; unless on
kn. you play qu., holding 10, or on qu. you play
k- holding kn., or holding ace and k. Upon a
10 led, with qu. and but one more, play qu. If
a 9 is led you cannot have k. or kn. ; but if you
hold qu. and another, or 10 and another, play
qu, or 10. If an 8 is led, and you have but k,
and another, generally play k. You must, if
you can, read the three cards that arc above the

76 AMERICAN WHIST.

lead, that your second-hand play may take the
trick with a small card, leaving you in command.
For instance, holding ace, k., kn., 8, the 7 led,
the 8 will win.

Do not generally play a high card, if you have
but one more, and that a small one.

These plays suppose a low card led unless
otherwise specified, and all the time the quality
of that card must be considered. A 2 led is
from three higher cards of the suit, while a 4 or
5 or 6 may be fourth best from five or more.
The trump-card must be remembered, its quality
and place, — that is, what it is and with whom,
— if the lead is or is not the first one made in
the hand, if you would be accurate in second-
hand play. Whenever the order is for the kn.
or 10, etc., played second, if you hold a sequence
up to that card you play the lowest of that se-
quence.

In the second round, and even in the third, if
your partner has been playing the strong hand
you are to consider every movement for his ad-
vantage. He will know that you in helping him
over first player are not calling for trumps. If
he has called for or has played trumps, and you
hold the winner and another, play the winner
whatever it is, and give him the smaller card.
If the opponent has called or played trumps,
pass the card led for your partner's possible
gain.

SECOND If AND. JJ

The discard of the highest or next best of a
suit that the second next lead may not be thrown
into his hands ; the proper trumping of a suit in
order to save the partner's trumps ; the indica-
tion by his play of strength or weakness in the
suit led ; the sounding of the echo to his part-
ner's call, and the finesse which intentionally,
or that which, if unsuccessful, throws the lead
for his advantage, are opportunities that are
offered second hand ; and diligently to improve
any of them, following directly as he must the
play of right-hand adversary, asks for skill equal
to that required of first or third hand player.

Holding but two cards of a suit, the largest
not an ace or k. and larger than the card led,
play it, if your hand in trumps warrants a lead
of trumps to it. Holding ace and any others
below qu., the general order is, play a low card
second hand, for if you have ace, kn., and others,
and a low card is led, you know the leader has
not k. and qu., so that your kn. may be of no
avail. The leader had probably four of the suit;
there may be but four more in both the hands
that follow you. If you have trumps, this suit
for you is in excellent condition if you pass it by
playing second hand low. In the second round
of a suit pains must be taken with your play, for
if you have winning cards and trumps, by pass-
■ ing the second time you may see cards fall to

78 AMERICA!^ WmST.

have ace, 8, $, 3, and the 4 is led, you play the
3, C, kn., B, qu. Now you know C. has neither
k. nor ro. If D. by and by leads the 6 of that
suit you play the 5, C. 9, B. 10. Now you know
D. has k, and 7, and C. or B. has the 2 ; when-
ever that 2 is led, you have the tenace, and have
made four tricks on D.'s long suit.

The discard made by second hand is a very
important play for partner to consider. If second
hand throws an 8 or higher card of any plain suit
upon card of another plain suit led, he cannot
make more absolute demand for a trump. If the
card so thrown is one of a suit which has already
been led, and second hand has had the chance
of beginning a call upon that suit and did not do
so, he may now be getting rid of a useless card ;
of such action the partner must judge.

Second-hand trurnping is ever dangerous.
Holding qu. or kn. and two small, the trick that
is gained by the small trump is usually lost with
advantage in the next few rounds. Generally
speaking, whenever it is proper for second hand
to trump, it is proper for him to do so without
regard to number or quality of cards. There are
more tricks lost because of the fear that third
hand will take a trick in a suit of which second
hand holds none, than are gained by trumping,
and then of course being obligated to lead. Sec-
ond hand must consider that if third hand is al-
lowed, if he can do so, to take that special trick.

r SECOND HAND. 79

third hand becomes the leader and second hand
becomes last player. Beside this gaining (by
pass
tant
ond

passing) an advantage that may be more impor-
tant even than the trick gained at that time, sec-
ond hand has got rid of a useless card, and has
retained a trump. These instructions apply to
doubtful cards and peculiar situations, not to
sure tricks, or to a time when the opponents
must not have the lead.

The second-hand play of the k. is to be consid-
ered. If leader plays qu., it must be the head
of a sequence. The ace is on your left, or with
your partner. It has already been stated that
the qu. should not be played second hand on kn.
led. It has also been said that k. should not be
played second on qu. led. Because of the oppor-
tunity for imparting correct information con-
cerning suits by the new system, there is a jus-
tifiable exception to this rule. It is when you
prefer to draw ace at once if with left-hand op-
ponent, or when you must ascertain if it is with
your partner. You ^vant the lead and make this
trial for it ; if you lose, you have drawn the two
highest of a suit for one ; the ace must have made
later, and you did not want it made against you
later, and you have thrown the lead which you
did not desire that your right-hand adversary
should retain. Even if the suit should be re-

should retain. Even if the suit should be re- ■

K turned, your partner has been made aware that ^^^H
H there was a reason for your play. ^^^H

8o AMERICAN WHIST.

An exception for the same cause exists for thaj
play of qu. on kn. led, if you hold k, and other%
and are willing at once to sacrifice the chance oS
making both k. and qu, in order to gain advan*
tage which the play of other suits had promised'
you. But holding qu. and others, there is n^
excuse for second-hand play of qu, on lead a(
kn.

Holding qu. and one low card, there is small
chance for the qu. to be of service. Third hand
may play k. on a low card led and partner ace^ J
making qu. good. Partner may hold ace or k.j
or both, the lead being from the kn. If strot^l
in trumps, the qu. had best be played, j

If at any time opponents have led trumps, or'
if your right-hand opponent has called for them, *
and you call, your partner is bound to get ii
any hazard and lead through him to you a trump.

You never designate the number or quality
of your trumps upon the opponent's lead, but
upon his call, you may, when you see fit to do s<v
inform of both.

Trumps exhausted, your call upon a suit ia
which you are strong may be of much avail.

The leader may play a low card of a suit of
which second hand holds ace and four or five
small. The suit can run but once, and second i
hand must choose between the ace play and tliQ'
propriety of holding the master card.

Again, the leader may play a low card and

SECONn SAND. 8 1

ond hand at once play ace and lead a trump. It
matters not whether he holds many or no more
of the suit, the partner in such case is not jus-
tified in making even the major tenace finesse.
He must play his highest trump and return the
next highest. It is not a question of number.
The first trump leader will know about the hold-
He calls for the highest play and is re-
sponsible.

The matter is much simplified if the leader
plays kn, and second hand takes with qu., or if
the leader plays any low card and second hand
takes and immediately leads a trump ; but the
principle is the same. The demand is made for
the partner to put the play away from himself.
The trump leader is to be alone considered.
Again, if second hand trumps a suit led and fol-
lows with a trump, the same necessity exists for
his partner to hazard all that he has.

The play of a fine second-hand player requires
as close attention on the part of his partner as
if he were the leader. For instance, second
hand has made successful finesse by trial or
finesse returned. If partner can assist by trump
play, or throw the lead, the trick, which could
not otherwise be made, is assured.

In the play of fine whist, the leads are speci-
'fied ; third-hand play is ordered and fourth hand
takes, or trumps, or over-trumps, or refuses to
take. But second hand follows a definite play

fi
P

83 ABiERlCAff WBIST.

of the leader with ingenious play. The oppor-
tunity is occasional, and that occasional chance
accepted must be watched. Men who have
played whist for twenty years note all the new
leads and adopt them, and properjy play third-
hand finesse and unblocking, and make return
leads correctly upon information ^ven ; but if
they have considered only the ordinary theory of
mutual reciprocity, their plans and purposes are
oftentimes defeated by the management of the
man who sits between them, and who, to their
frequent surprise, not only interferes with rou-
tine, but forces its abandonment.

To those persons who imagine that second-
hand play is plain because you have only to
throw the lowest card, we commend the state-
ment of Lassave concerning Deschapelles : " 1
had rather he would lead or play third hand than
to be at my left when in an exigency I am to
play, He plays second hand to win with it ;
and he does win with it. His finesse is terrific."

In the chapter upon American Leads, p. 105,
may be found matter of interest to third hand,
since the principle of American Whist finds its
readiest illustration in the correct management
of his cards by third-hand player. If it is clear
that the pian of the original leader can be devel-
oped, or if it is most proper that the attempt be
made to develop it, third hand demonstrates by
strategy and sacrifice the principle that demands
such service. The order of Folkestone, given a
century and a half ago, governs the action of the
players who invent new methods for the accom-
plishment of the original design.

Referring players to the analysis of the New
. Play, p. 125, which has its separate leads, we give
the genera! or combined order of play, in man-
ner sufficiently comprehensive to enable the stu-
dent to understand the relationship between the
lead and the duty of the leader's partner.

In former play — that is, before the adoption
of American Leads — ^thiid hand was indeed
apprised of the fact that his partner held a long
suit, one card of which he originally played, per-
haps, too, following with another of the same
suit ; but third hand could form no estimate of

84 AMERICAN WBJST.

the quality of his partner's remaining cards
Pole talked about pb.jT.ng the two bands as one,
and instantly made it impossible to do so by an
original lead of a deuce at the foot of a suit of
six. Cavendish bettered the matter by the es-
tablishment of the penultimate, but still left
third hand in the dark. Drayson determined to
throw the kn. at the head of five not in long se-
quence, because "you raay possibly bring down
qu., k., and ace the first round, and will hold the
best and third."

Now, it happens in a vast number of cases in
whist that first hand may lead exactly as he
should do, and that third hand should do very
differently from the way in which the leader had
planned for him to do. This circumstance does
not alter in the slightest degree the utter pro-
priety of the original lead, nor the propriety of a
continuous lead, or of a change of lead ; but it
establishes the statement that, while partners
should play for each other, and that third hand
should generally assist first player in the devel-
opment of his suit and of his plan, nevertheless
third-hand player is an important factor in the
quartette, and may at any time assume to be an
independent one. Third hand, regarded as the
accommodating personage who carries out the
purposes of the original leader, is of great con-
sequence when he figures as an illustrator of
the efficacy of American Leads ; and it is with

THIRD HAND. 85

1 this relation that we have first explicitly

The proper original leads have been given,
and we are to suppose that advanced players are
familiar with the system. To illustrate that sys-
tem in its integrity requires that not only third-
hand player must conform to its requirements,
but second-hand player also ; so that in despite
of what might be done by a second hand like
Deschapelles, who at times would not allow first
hand to decipher his finesse, we are to let second
hand keep as rigidly within the law as either of
the other two. Fourth hand will in no wise in-
terfere with the proposed plan, because no con-
tinuous play of the hand is explained. It is
about the original lead and what comes of it,
because of what the partner of the leader is to
play in the suit of that leader, that we are inter-
ested

UNBLOCKING.

Having ace and four, says the new system,

lead ace ; then original fourth best Third hand
reads two better cards in leader's hand, knows
at the outset there were five at least, and pre-
pares to play his own four to make that fifth.

Third hand is informed how to read, what to
play, and when to unblock in the following exam-
ples, for all of which we are indebted to Mr.
Trist and the compilation of Cavendish : —

1, Third hand holds k., 6, 5. A. leads ace,
C. small, B. 5, D. small. A. leads qu., C. small,
B. 6, and not k. to get out of the way, although
B. knows that A. has kn., for he also knows A.
has but one more of the suit, and that card can-
not be the 10; so that 10 being against, B. re-
tains k.

2, Third hand holds k. and two others. A.
leads ace, C. throws 6, B. low one, D. low one.
A. leads kn., C. small one, B. throws k., for qu.
must be in leader's hand. If, however, C, does
not follow, B. should play the low card, retaining
the k. in his hand.

3, Third hand holds k. and three small ones.
A. leads ace, C. plays small one, B. small one, D.
plays 9. A. leads kn., C. 8, B. small ; D. tnimps.

UNBLOCKTNG. 87

When C. has the lead, he plays 10; B. plays k,,
although he knows it will be trumped, to get rid
of the command.

If all followed suit to ace and kn., and kn,
wins, it is certain that B, holds k. and a small
one. A. will not continue the suit, for one ad-
versary will trump and ope throw away. B. will
play k. after trumps are out, and lead the small
card to partner. Should the suit not be led a
third time, and B. (original third hand) be re-
quired to discard from his partner's suit, he
should throw the k. and not the small one. A.
must have qu. and two others, the 10 single
against,

4. Third hand holds k. and two small ones.
A. plays ace, then 10, B. should throw k. on
second play that he may not block the suit, and

A. should not conclude that he had no more of
the suit although he threw the high card, for he
was offered the chance to get out of the way
and took it.

5. With k. and three small ones, third hand
should pass the 10.

6. With k. and more than three others, third
hand passes ; for if the lead was from four cards,

B. otherwise would block his own suit. This, of
course, when B. can know that his partner will
play the 10 following ace, with qu., kn., 10, only.

17. Third hand holds qu., 4, 3. A. leads ace,
C. plays 5, B. 3, D. 2. A. leads 9, C. plays k. ;

-J

88 AMERICAN WHIST.

B. should throw qu^ for there must be two
higher cards than the g in A.'s hand.

8. Third hand holds qu., lo, 8. A. plays ace,

C. plays 9, B. plays 8, and D. plays 2. A. plays
6, C. plays k. ; B. should throw qu., for A. must
have kn., 7, and a small card.

9. Third hand holds k., qu., kn,, 2. A. plays
ace ; it must be at the head of five. B. should
throw kn., then qu., then either play or lead k.,
for if at any time before these high cards are
out of the way B. throws the 2, he has blocked
his partner's suit.

With any four cards by the play of which B,
may get in the way of a long suit, he should
throw his second best to the original ace-lead.
For example : —

10. Third hand holds 7, 6, 5, 2. A. leads ace,
C. plays 8, B. plays 5, and D. 9. A. leads kn,,
C. plays k., B. plays 6, D. renounces, When A.
has the lead again, A plays qu„ and B. 7 ; A.'s
suit is unblocked. If B. had thrown the 2 to the
ace, A.'s suit would have been blocked.

11. Third hand holds qu., 9, 8, 3, A. leads
ace, C. trumps, B. plays 3. When D. has the
lead he plays k. ; A. plays 2, C. renounces,
and B. plays S ; D. leads again the j, and A.
plays 7. Now original third hand B, should
throw qu., for A. must have kn. and 10,

Third hand may not be ab!e to get rid of
cards that may be in the way, but he can an-
nounce the reason for his play ; e. g. : —

UNBLOCKING. 8g

12, Third hand holds qu,, kn., lo, 9. A. leads
ace, third hand throws lO ; A. leads 4, C.
trumps, B. plays kn. Afterward D. leads k.,
and B. plays the 9. He must have the qu.,
since he had four of the suit. He played the 10
first, then the 9 to give the position of the qu. ;
he would not have done so if he had played first
9, then 10, then kn.

13. Third hand holds 6, 4, 3, 2. A. leads ace,
C. plays S, B. plays 3, D. plays 7. Second, A.
leads 9, C. plays k., B. plays 4, and D. kn, If
C. does not lead a trump, the probability is that
the 5 is his lowest card of the suit ; then B.
must have the deuce and the 6. Of this A.
could not have been sure if B. had first played
2, then 3.

14, Third hand holds k., qu., 8, 3. A. leads
ace, C. plays kn., B. plays 8, D, plays 2. A,
leads 6, C. trumps, B. plays qu., and D. 4, No
one having played the trey, B, has it ; he must
have one more card, the k., and of course D. has
the 10 single.

15. Third hand holds k., kn., 5, 2. A. plays
ace, C. plays 4, B, plays 5, D, trumps. D. leads
a trump; if C. were not calling, B. holds the
deuce of the suit, so that A. can tell that B. has
three more and C. has two more. Now, if third
hand has but three cards, of which he can get

■ rid by almost any play, A. can count the cards.

AMERICAN WH2ST.

C. plays 2, B. plays 5, D. plays 4. If A. has the
3, B. has no more, or but two more. A, leads
8, C. plays k, B. plays 6, D. plays 7. Later in
the hand B. discards the 9. D. has qu. ; A. can
lead for B. to over-trump if he thinks proper.

17. Third hand holds qu., 9, 2. A. leads ace,

C. plays 3, B. plays 2 (therefore had not four),

D. plays 4. A. leads 6, C. plays kn., B. plays
qu., D. plays k. B. afterward discards the 9.
D. must have the 10, and A. can force B. For
if B. had held four of the suit originally, he
would have played the 9 to the first trick instead
of the 2.

18. Third hand holds 10,9, 8, 4, A. leads
ace ; C. plays 7, B. plays 8, and D. plays 2. A.
leads qu. ; C. plays k., B. plays 9, and D. plays
3. When A. leads kn., B. plays the 4 and holds
the 10.

A. may lead from five cards, and put B. into
difficulty about unblocking because of D.'s trump-
ing on the first round. For example ; —

19. Third hand holds k., 10, J, 2. A. leads
ace ; C. plays 6, B. plays 5, D. trumps. After-
ward A. leads 4 ; C plays kn., B. plays k., D.
trumps. Third trick, C. to lead. C. plays qu. ;
B. cannot place the g, and does not wish to part
with his 10. There is an even chance that, of
the two cards that A, holds, one may be the 9.
Perhaps, as it was his lead, the risk might be run.
But B. can make his ro if he does not throw it

VNBLOCKmG. gl

The matter of trumps and trumping, save
when specified, is not supposed to interfere with
the run of suits given as examples. They are
played as if trumps were gone. In the matter
f the return of the lead, when B. gives back his
highest card owing to calculation of what is in
from play, he does contrary to the accepted rule
of play of returned leads. The hand properly
played from the first, A. will understand what
that return means, and that the small card is yet
in B.'s hand.

"The return here proposed," says Cavendish,
"will most likely be a bitter pill for the old
school of whist-players to swallow. They may
have been brought up to return the higher of
two remaining cards, the lowest of three; and
they will probably continue in that faith. If,
however, they wish to unblock their partner's
suits, and to play their cards to the best advan-
tage, they will have to depart from the cherished
whist-maxim of their youth, where an ace is led
originally. If they are content to stand still, no
one can prevent them ; but they may be sure
that the whist -players of the future, having noth-
ing to unlearn, will return any card which expe-
rience tells them will most probably conduce to

In the process of imblocking there is there-
fore frequent necessity for the play of a card
higher than one that remains in hand. The card

92 AMEFKAN WHIST.

that is so played is not unnecessarily high, and
so does not begin a call for trumps. And if
another card of the same suit higher than that
already played is afterward purposely thrown
instead of the lower card, the play of the lower
card at any time thereafter does not constitute a
call. If the play of a card higher than one that
could have been played might be construed as the
beginning of a call, the fact that the call was not
finished at a time when it could properly have
been finished nullifies any action of the low card
in reference to a demand for trumps.

For the practical unblocking in the partner's
suits, third hand had best do away with the idea
of calling for trumps. While by the use of a
middle card of his tierce B, can make a call,
there is probable chance enough for him to ob-
tain a lead' and play trumps, if he can be of
greater benefit to his partner than by unblock-
ing in his suit. Enough has been said and
shown in this matter of unblocking to satisfy the
players that there is a plan devised by the use
of which they can play to the best advantage
for the partner's long suit. Whenever A. leads
an ace and follows it with a low card, B, holding
four cards exactly of the suit should so manage
his hand that A, will not be prevented from
making his long suit. The examples that have
been given only show the manner of avoidance
of blocking the partner's suit. These could be

UNBLOCKING.

multiplied indefinitely, but instead the general
rule for play may here be given : —

When a king is originally led; if third hand
does not attempt to take the first trick he throws
his lowest card, unless he cares to call for trumps,
no matter how many cards of the suit he holds.

When ace of any plain suit is led originally,
if C. follows suit, third hand, with any four cards
of the suit exactly, retains his lowest card.

When qu., kn., lo, or 9 is led originally,
whether second hand follows suit or renounces,
third hand, with four small cards of the suit ex-
actly, retains the lowest card.

On the second play, if third hand does not
take the trick, he plays his middle card. When
he afterward throws a lower one of the suit, he
has not called for trumps.

If third hand retains his lowest card on the
play of the first trick, and is to return the suit,

»he is to play his highest card in that suit, al-
though he holds three at the time.
It follows, then, that third hand should pay
special attention to assisting in the establish-
ment of the original lead, supposing that it may
be from a strong continuous suit ; but that suit

I may be stronger or longer in third hand than in
first. A. holds — as in our first example (p. 86),
wherein all was easy sailing — ace, qu., kn., 2.
Suppose A, leads the ace and B. holds k., 10, 9,
8, 6, 5, three small trumps (clubs), two sm^

94 AMERICAN WHIST.

diamonds, and two small spades. B. can neither
help nor hinder ; he can but inform. He knows
the suit can run but once. It is useless for him
to play one of his best cards, for the suit will
come out and presently develop.

If third hand holds k. and two small of a suit
of which partner leads first ace, then qu., third
hand retains k., for partner cannot hold the la

The leads that can be readily traced as the
heralds of certain combinations that third hand
is to assist in making available have been ex-
plained. When third hand must play his own
cards for the most that he can make from them,
perhaps requiring instead of affording assist-
ance, he is liable to finesse, retaining control of
the suit led. A. leads the 9 of clubs, B. holds
the major tcnace and a small card. The value
of the card led is evident, the finesse is in pass-
ing it ; but if B. passes he must take control
next play. He can take with qu., open his own
suit, and when not afterward returning the club
suit nor leading a trump, the partner can under-
stand that he bad best play B.'s hand if possible.

Finessing on your partner's play is a very dif-
ferent matter from finessing against the partner.
The qu. or kn. and ace and others are proper
finesse cards. The 10, holding the k, and others,
or the 10, holding qu. and others, may as well
be played upon a small card led as the best card
that you hold ; for, first, it may be that your 10

H will draw th(
W be of much i:

THIRD HAND. 95

the ace, and then your high card may
use to your partner ; and, second, if
the other cards are with your partner and on
your right, you will know what is best to be done
to make those in your partner's hand. In order
to practise finesse proper, the simplest form, it
is usually necessary to consider two or three
hands. For instance, leader throws a low card,
second hand throws one lower, third hand holds
k. and 10 and two low ones. Now, the position
of any one high card besides the k. is unknown
to third-hand player ; but if his partner has led
from ace, qu., the kn. is as likely to be on the
right as with the last player, and if A, led from
ace, kn., the qu. may be with second hand. It is
easy to see that the 10 is a correct play.

On the kn. led, third hand holding ace and
one only should play" ace and return the small
one ; holding more than one small card of the
suit, pass the kn. The lead may be from k., qu.,
kn., and others, or from kn. at head of sequence,
or with a hand of short tcnaces or weaknesses it
may be the best of three. In any case you do
no harm in passing once ; if the card takes, you
have given information to your partner that you
had more than ace and another. Moderate
players, who have seen that the capture of the
knave with the ace by second hand was good
play, do not draw the distinction between the
play made by adversary knd partner, and, hold-

§6 AiSERICA/f WBtST.

ing two or more smaQ cards, throw the ace u'
clear the suit for first player, before th^ ascer-
tain that the suit is there. K it is not there^,
B. loses a trick.

Again, A leads k. of clubs plain suit ; C.
throws the 5. B. has ace, kn., and five more
clubs. This suit is to be trumped second round
if not upon the first, and encouragement must
not be given to play it again. B. should attempt
to take with the ace, and lead a trump though
he has not more than three, especially if be
holds a card of reentry.

Do not play k. on kn. led ; the ace is not in
first or second hand.

Holding ace and k. to partner's lead, play ace,
then k.

Third hand, after trumps are out, holding the
same suit, to make which trumps were drawn,
sometimes has opportunityfor announcement of
his strength. A. knows that B. has clubs in his
own best suit as first led, but he does not know
of their quality. Trumps gone, he does not dare
play a small club that D, may take, for then he
will bring in the diamonds. A. therefore plays
his k. of clubs, B. throws the 4 ; A. follows with '
ace, B, throws the 3 ; A. may go on with the
lead, B. has the queen. See Finesse, p. 222;

The conditions that attach to size of card that
second band shall throw may seem of little con-
sequence near the close of the play ; but third

THIRD HAND,

band may save a trick. A. leads a small spade
from kn., 9, and two small- Second hand, with
two only, to take the trick throws qu., not 7 ;
third hand k., to draw two honours for one ; D,
ace. D. holding up the 10 continues the suit;

A. having last trump passes for B.'s best card,
and B, makes the 8. B. returns the 3, and A.
holds the tcnace.

Third hand holding last trump is most favor-
ably situated for finesse, A. knowing that B.
has last trump should throw his highest cards,
and B. may pass any of them in finesse even
against his right, He has all advantage ; for if
fourth hand takes, he must lead up to B., then
last player.

Third-hand finesse at times from an original '
lead, and frequently upon the after-leads, will
win trick or throw the lead to advantage. When
the trumps are declared strong against, deep
finesse by third hand may be the only plan that
can save a game. Whenever it happens that
third-hand player is very weak in all suits,' his
proper play may nevertheless be of service. It
simply remains for him to do the best that he
can. He cannot play what he does not hold,
but he should play correctly what he does hold,
no matter of what quality. A, led the qu. of
hearts, trump ; B. threw the 3. A. led the k, ;

B. threw the 2, A. read the two more trumps
1 B.'b hand. A. led k. of diamonds, taken by

98 AMERICAff WHlST.

the ace of right-hand adversary who led a club,
taken by the other adversary who led a spade
up to A.'s tenace. A. threw qu. of diamonds,
then a small one that B. trumped, who led an-
other spade ; A. took and led another diamond,
drawing B.'s last trump. A. made the rest of
his trumps and game. B. had announced his
holding of four trumps, and he took two tricks ;
but he held a " Yarborough," — that is, not a
card of any suit above an 8.

Holding k., kn., and others of plain suit, play
k., for your return of kn. may be of more avail
than that of k., even if kn. could have taken;
besides, you are not playing to keep highest
cards in partner's suit.

Holding k., kn., and others in trumps, after a
call by right-hand opponent, play k. upon a low
card led, for your partner is playing through the
calling hand for a purpose, and not to give you a
chance for doubtful finesse.

Holding ace or k, and others to partner's play
of qu. or kn. or lO, after a call from your right-
hand adversary, pass the lead, unless covered
second, and even then if passing secures you a
tenace or permanent control. Your partner has
played his best card for your advantage When
trumps are all against you, finesse deeply, and
lead your cards of weakest suits to partner for

If your partner calls trumps or holds them and

THIRD HAND. 99

you have not any, but have the lead, play the
highest cards you hold. Never speculate upon
anything that you may have, if your partner has
taken the responsibility of the game.

It is one of the principles of whist that you
always play your partner's game, whenever he
by lead or call has told you that he desires to
make certain tricks in his suit.

Never finesse on partner's original lead if he
has followed, by a small trump, his play of ace
second hand upon a low card led.

Holding ace and any number of trumps below
the qu., play ace upon partner's lead of any card
except k. or qu., and lead ace upon his call.

Holding any two high cards in sequence and
no more of the suit, upon partner's lead play the
highest. When the other falls, it is not a call.
The play is informatory, and partner will judge
as to his future lead.

If your partner leads or calls for trumps, your
discard is from your weakest suit ; if the oppo-
nent, from your strongest. This nde has refer-
ence to the first lead or call made. It may hap-
pen that the quality of your suits will not permit
this conventional discard ; then your after-play
must explain the situation. But it is not best,
when you have the opportunity to do so, to play
differently when both partner and opponent de-

I sire trumps. Generally you have no indication,
until too late, to regulate a discard in case that

lOO AMERICAN WHIST.

your partner may prove to be stronger in trumps
than the opponent who has also called or led.
Follow the rule. If the adversary first leads or
first calls for trumps, discard from your strongest
suit.

Having reference to the directions for un-
blocking when but three cards of the suit are
held, it is proper to note the exception in case
the kn., lo, or 9 is the highest card of the three,
and when third hand may desire to call upon the
second round ; e. g., A. leads ace, C. plays 3 ; B.,
holding kn., 8, 4, throws 8 not 4. Second round,
A. leads k., C. trumps ; B. throws 4 not kn.,
calling, or if he does not desire to call, throws
kn. This exception provides only for an occa-
sional situation of other cards in third hand.

FOURTH HAND.

Fourth-hand player is not merely a dummy,
having but to trump a trick or win it, if he can
do so by overplay. He must know when to take
a trick, and when not to do so, though in his
power. He is no more to catch each trick that
offers than he is to omit to capture what is
proper for hira to make. For instance, A. B.
and C. D. were each 26 points ; the rubbers were
even, the games were even, and when C. turned
a. small diamond on the last deal, the score stood
6 to 6. B. led the ace of spades at the head of
six; qu. falling third hand, he did not continue
the suit, but threw the kn. of hearts. This was
taken by C. with ace, who, strong in spades but
having not a trick beside, and hearts not being
the original lead, returned the lead. B. threw
the 10, and A. took with qu. ; knowing B. had
no more, A. followed with king, B. renouncing,
A. now — with three tricks in, no call made, the
major tenace and three of suit in clubs, and k.,
qu., 10, and 6 of diamonds — threw k. of dia-
monds. C, B., and D. threw small diamonds ;
A. followed with the 6 of diamonds, B, played
kn., C. and D. small. B, having no more
trumps, and satisfied that A. held the trumps, to

I02 AMERICAN WHIST.

make the game threw a spade, of which A.
might have the k. ; if not, he could take the
trick with a small trump, then play the ace of
diamonds that he must hold, and the game would
be won. A. trumped the spade, and then, with
six tricks in, exultingly threw his ace of clubs
for the odd card and game. D., fourth hand,
trumped ; led ace of diamonds and drew the qu. ;
led a small spade to his partner, who must hold
k. ; made his last trump upon the return play ;
made the 5 and 4 of hearts, the odd trick, the
game, the rubber, and the odd point upon the
long play. C.'s band by a short-whist or a five-
point player would probably have been thrown
down, or at least the announcement made that
the game was past all hope ; but American whist
does not tolerate such exhibition. The hands
must be played out ; and in this case the obeyal
of the law elicited the manifest astonishment of
three players.

A. leads k. from k., qa, kn., and a small card;
D. holding ace, 10, and others, passes. If A.
makes the common error of continuing with the
small card, D. makes two tricks.

A. leads the k. of trumps at the close of a
hand from k.,qu.,and 10. D. holds ace, knave,
and another. If D. takes the first trick, he loses
both the others ; if he declines to take it, he
makes both the others.

■ One mo

J D. had the

FOURTH HAND. 103

One more example from actual play, wherein
D. had the best of chances to trump and ruin a
game : —

Score 6 to 6 ; ^ oi hearts turned by C. B,
led small spade from four, g high ; A. played qu.,
and C. took with king. C. led 7 of diamonds,

B. small one, D. the 10, A. the qu. A. holding
the diamond and high tierce-trump sequence,
was sure of the game, and, although he had
played qu. on his partner's lead, thought best to
risk the return to find him either with ace or
kn. C. played ace, and led the kn. of diamonds ;
D. played a low diamond, and A. took with k.
A., now satisfied that his partner could take a
trick in spades, first drew three rounds of
trumps, leaving the thirteenth with D, He
then threw the best diamond, which D., altkougk
a sure trick, did not trump, for he saw the policy,
as he had not a sure trick in clubs or spades, of
leaving the matter in his partner's hands ; had
he trumped this best card, he must have led a
club up to certain destruction. D. believed of
course as A. did, as they both had reason to do
from C.'s play, that B. must hold the kn. of
spades. A. next led the small spade, that his
partner might make the one trick needed ; but

C. took it with the 10, followed with the kn.,
then with the diamonds, and lastly with a low '
club, a singleton, on which D, must play his
thirteenth trump.

104 AMERICAN WHIST.

The ace, qu., and two small dubs were with
B., but he would not lead from them at first, pre-
ferring to be led up to ; after his first lead he had
no other chance. C.'s play was very fine in this
example. Cheap players would have endeavored
to utilize the singleton, or at least would not
have practised his covering of the spade led.
But the play is especially noticeable because of
D.'s understanding what must be done. Proba-
bly four fifths of the players would have taken
the sure trick in diamonds ; while D., by not
doing so, offered one of the recorded demonstra-
tions that fourth-hand play is no sinecure.

AMERICAN LEADS.

The inventions that are at once recognized
by the student of whist history to be properly
designated by the above title have been by some
players confounded with those of more recent
discovery that are known as belonging to the
New Play. There is a likeness, but they are not
the same.

Again, there are players who consider one of
the American leads to be but a sort of comple-
tion or perfection of the " penultimate " once in
use. The principle and plan of one method are
all unlike those of the other. The penultimate
of Cavendish advised simply that there was a
card remaining in the hand lower than that led,
no matter how many higher. The American
lead infonns that there are exactly three cards
higher than the card led, no matter how many
lower. The second lead from the penultimate
play gave no indication of the quality or number
of high cards left. The second lead by the
American play gives information of both. For
instance, A. holds k., lO, S, 7, 6, 4, 2, of a suit.
Cavendish led the 4 or the 6. There are one
or two lower, but how many higher .' On the
second lead, according to the fall of the cacds,

I06 AMERICAN WHIST.

any one of the rest is played. What cards re-
main ? The American lead is the 7 : there must
be three higher. The second lead depends upos
the general play, but whatever it is, the remain-
ing high cards are read.

The lead by Cavendish was wise, did its work,
and had its day ; that of Trist is wiser, is doing
its work, and will be of avail as long as cards are
played.

The history of American leads is as follows : —

Six years ago in April, an illustrated hand of
whist, by "N. B. T,," of New Orleans, was
printed in the London "Field." In it, A. held
ace, qu., kn., 10, 7, of a suit, and he led first
ace, then 10. It was the germ of a revolutionary
plan. Cavendish annotated the hand, and, as
his comments clearly show, did not suspect the
announcement of the fourth-best card.

In June, Mr. Trist published another band, in
which A. leads the original fourth best, and Z. is
made to lead first ace, then fourth best.

Two weeks later, " Lincolns Inn " furnished
a hand in which A. leads first ace s., then 2 s.,
holding three more, and Y., holding ace, k., qu.,
7, 6 d., plays ace, then k., then qu. No adverse
comment to either mode of play is editorially
made.

Mr. Trist, a few weeks later, in a letter to the
"Field," proposed that after the head of a suit
had been quitted, the next lead should properly

)i a suit I

AMERICAN LEADS. 10/

be the original fourth best, showing exactly two
cards higher. Cavendish wrote that " to formu-
late such a rule would be more difficult than Mr.
Trist expected."

Mr. Trist printed his illustrated play of the
original fourth best, in defense of his position,
in May, 1884. That Cavendish had not at that
date agreed to its supremacy is evident, for in
June following, Cavendish printed one of his
own hands, leading the penultimate from a suit
of seven cards.

Mr. Trist, having promulgated his plan of the
leads of ace, then fourth best, and of original
fourth best, and having clearly shown to the sat-
isfaction of first-class players everywhere that
his system was to supersede all others, printed
his explanation of the manner in which the orig-
inal leader, when he became second, third, or
fourth player, should use his equal trickmaking
cards. He says ; " As some of your readers
may not be familiar with the American rule, I
state it as follows : On the second round of your
suit which you originally led, if you remain with
two high indifferent cards, both of which your
partner can infer to be in your hand, play the
higher if you opened a suit of four cards, the
lower if a suit of five or more."

Meantime, while Mr. Trist was presenting his
^L American leads, he was met by the most deter-
^H mined opposition. The vituperative a.tticles Vw;

I08 AMERFCAN WHIST.

distilled in his mental alembic The following
remarkable passage in one of his letters admits
of no reply: "The great majority of players
lack the quick perception which will enable them
to take full advantage of the information im-
parted, but this is no reason why really first-rate
players should be deprived of that information."

Cavendish and some others began to see that
the American system of leads must displace
that to which they were accustomed, and they
frankly made known their opinions. But the
jealousy against Mr. Trist crept out among many
of the English players. Some of them wanted
that Cavendish, because he had previously used
the penultimate, should share the credit. But
the editor of the " Field " would not have it so,
and says of " N. B. T. : " " Surely the man who
conceives a general principle of play stands on a
higher pedestal than one who proposes a special
course in special instances."

One of the English writer-players advocated
the claim of Cavendish to a share in the author-
ship of American leads, on the ground that he
had proposed a kn. from a qu., kn., five in suit.
The editor of the " Field " very properly says to
him : " You might as well credit Hoyle with the
authorship of American leads because, in 1742,
he proposed the lead of kn. from k., qu., kn., and
two others." And the editor of the " Field " does
not hesitate to state with emphasis: "The for-

^m AMERICAN LEADS. 109

^P mulation of a general principle of play was first
^ proposed by ' N. B. T.' To him is due the ex-
tension to other cases, and the credit of the
generalization."

Mr. Trist gives Cavendish much praise for his

(assistance in the publication of his plans. In a
letter to " G. W. P.," Mr. Trist says: "It is a
source of great satisfaction to me to see that
American leads meet with such hearty approval."
And he adds : " Cavendish of his own accord has
admirably analyzed the unblocking system of the
third hand, and he should have the credit, by his
earnest efforts in the ' Field,' magazines, and lec-
ture-rooms, of getting American leads adopted
by the best players." The unblocking system
is as old as Folkestone, but its application in
the very extended analysis in "Whist Develop-
ments" is, on the part of Cavendish, ingenious,
and, before the recent introduction of the " New-
Play," was well-nigh exhaustive.

The enmity to anything original, however
good, did not abate among the English players.
On the 24th of January, 18S5, " Harry Andrew "
arranged a hand which by the order of Ameri-
can leads might lose a trick, and, placing out of
view the whole value of information given to
partner, insisted upon leading the lowest card
from a suit of six.
H Onjanuary 10, 1885, "Mogul, "oneoffhe"un-
H compromising bulldogs," who "agrees to noth-

no AMERiCAN WHIST.

ing," whose " personal rights are paramount to
all considerations" (the quotations are the words
of one of " Mogul's " contemporaries), deter-
mined not to acknowledge whatsoever could be
considered an innovation upon a plan that, once
having been thought proper, must be forever de-
fended, argued in the "Field" that A, holding
qu., lO, 8, 7, 4, 2, of a suit, should lead the 2.
Cavendish, who had been converted to the new
theory, endeavored to show him that even the
Cavendish idea of the penultimate lead would
not answer, but that the American lead of the 7
was the only proper lead to make.

Cavendish tells " Mogul," as " Mogul " states,
"with the tone of an absolute whist dictator,
that the penultimate is to be abolished alto-
gether, — that it will abdicate in favor of the
card of uniformity, the fourth best." " Mogul "
says : " Cavendish twits me with being, as re-
gards my view, a minority of one, but this only
proves his ignorance of the views of the players.
Does he think his disciples constitute the entire
world ? "

From a letter of an American whist player, we
quote : " The short - whist players seem to have
an idea that Hoyle patented whist, and that, his
patent having expired, Cavendish alone sells the
manufactured article." And there are those
who cry, "Hoyle is great, and Cavendish is
his prophet ! " But Cavendish, on the evening

AMERICAN LEADS. 1 1 1

of Wednesday, February 25, 1885, in the draw-
ing-room of the United Whist Club in London,
read his lecture upon American leads, advising
their adoption because of their superiority, and
stating that " they owed their full development
to Nicholas Browse Triat, of New Orleans,
U. S. A."

American leads were adopted in this country
and put into practice immediately upon their
announcement. The fourth best, as matter of
principle and play, and not as a penultimate
card merely indicative of one lower held, was
instantly in favor here among the best players.
The invention of American leads is not, however,
a single but a treble order. The American
leader at once accepted the fact that, (i) if he
led a low card, it was because he had exactly
three of the suit that were higher ; (2) if he
led a high card, and followed with a low one,
he held exactly two cards higher than his sec-
ond lead ; (3) that, having led a high card when
following with another high one, he played
the highest one of two equally good if he held
but four cards originally of the suit, and the
lowest of the two if he held five or more of the
suit.

Although Cavendish, who invented the " pe-
nultimate," confesses that the mode and its pur-
pose are no longer of use and has abandoned
the term, it is all in vain to present his argu-

112 AMERICAN WniST.

nients or those of Mr. Trist to the " Moguls " of
Europe or America to the effect that the fourth
best and the penultimate belong to two different
rules in play, both as regards principle in lead
and the end sought to be attained.

For the convenience of players who care to
read in detail special directions concerning orig-
inal leads, we print instructions, making the
proper changes in conformity with the new
order, from " Whist Developments," the com-
pilation of Mr. Trist's explanation of his theory.
showing American play under its three compul-
sory maxims.

Low Card Led.

With an average strong suit containing four
cards, when the suit is opened with a low card,
the lowest is the card selected. The third hand
is expected to play his highest card; therefore
to lead a high card would be an unnecessary sac-
rifice of strength.

Take as an example such a suit as qu., lOj 8,
7. This is a suit of minimum numerical
strength; that is, of four cards exactly. From
this combination the lowest card, the 7, is led
originally.

Here American leads propose only a change
of nomenclature. The 7 is led on either the old

AMERICAN LEADS. l\%

or the new system. But instead of calling the
smallest card of minimum numerical strength
the lowest card, it is now to be called ^^fourth-
best card.

When the fourth-best card is led, the third
hand knows the leader holds three other cards
in that suit, all higher than the one led, — in
the example, three cards all higher than the 7.

Now add one more card in this suit, say the
4. The leader's suit is qu., 10, 8, 7, 4.

The abandoned rule and the American rule
again coincide. On either system, the 7, the
penultimate card of iive, is led. The nomencla-
ture only is altered ; instead of calling this card
the penultimate, it is called, as before, the
fourth best, counting from the top of the suit in-
stead of from the bottom.

Now let another card be added, say the 2.
The leader's suit is qu., 10, 8, 7, 4, 2. From a
suit of six cards, English players still lead the
penultimate ; some lead what they call the ante-
penultimate. It does not appear that any good
reason can be assigned why the player should
change from the 7 to the 4 because in addition
he holds the 2. Hence, discarding the terms pe-
nultimate and ante-penultimate, the American
method still takes the fourtk-best card — the
card of minimum numerical strength — as the
one to be selected for the original lead,
garding any or all lower cards.

-as the I

d, disre- ^^^h

114

AMERICAN WHIST.

Every suit, then, opened with a low card,
whether of four or more cards, is treated as

though the cards below the fourth best were not
in the leader's hand ; and whatever low card is
led, the third player can always place in the
leader's hand exactly three cards higher than the
one first led, as shown by the following tabu-
lated example : —

From qu,, lo, 8

qu.,

Lead

qu., 10,

The fourth-best card — in the above example
the 7 — is sometimes called the card of uniform-
ity-

The first maxim laid down by American leads
is, —

When you open a suit with a low card, lead

your FOURTH BEST.

It is said that no advantage is gained by show-
ing your partner that you hold sbc or seven cards
of a suit. That, however, is not the point.
What you do show, and what you want to show,
is that you invariably hold exactly three cards,
all higher than the one first selected.

A k.

AMERICAN LEADS,

IIS

High Card Led {followed by low card).

When ace is led, from ace and four or more
small cards, the second lead, according to the
English play, is the lowest card. The same
when king is led from king, queen, and small
cards, and the king wins the trick. Also, when
lo is led from king, knave, lo, and the lo wins
the trick.

According to the American play, the second
lead in these cases should be the original fourth
besty — the card which would have been selected
if the suit had been opened with a small card.
Whatever low card is led, the third player can
always place in the leader's hand exactly two
cards higher than the one selected for the sec-
ond lead, as shown by the tabulated example : —

Lead

Then

From ace

kn., 9

" ace
** ace
" ace

kn., 9
kn., 9
kn., 9

8
8
8

7,5

7,5
etc.

The second maxim laid down by American
leads may be thus stated : —

On quitting the head of yo7ir suity lead your

ORIGINAL FOURTH BEST.

The above rule applies to the second round of
the suit only.

Il6 AMERICAN WHJST. ^^H

Readers of these pages, which are addressed
only to advanced players, are supposed to know
the ordinary leads. But as the volume may fall '
into the hands of those who are not familiar with
the mode of leading from high cards, the follow-
ing table of leads is inserted.

TABLE OF LEADS, NO. I. ^

F^-

Lbad

Ace, k., qu., kn. flrumps)

Ace, k.,qu.,kn. (plain suits)

fiCe., k., qu. only (trumps)

Ace, k., qu.only (plain suits)

Ace, qu., kn., 10

Ace, qu., kn. (more than one small)

Ace, qu., kn. (one small}

Kn., then ace 1
K., then kn.
Ace. then k.
Ace. then k.
Ace, then lo
Ace, then kn. 1
Ace, then qu. ,

K.,qu.,kn,. 10

K., qn., kn. (more than one small)

K.,qu.,kn. (one small)

K., kn., 10. 9

K.,kn,io

K. J
Kn. 1

K., then kn. \

9 1

Qu,. kn., lo. 9

Qu, kn., lo (more than one small)

Qu., kn., 10 (one small)

Qu., then 9
Qu.. then To
Qu., then kn.

Kn., to, 9, 8

Kn,,IO,g (more than one small)

Kn., 10, 9 (one small)

Kn,, then 8
Kn., Ihen o
Kn., Ihen lo

lo, 9, 8. 7 (trumps)

to, 9, 8 (more than one small, trumps)

ID, 9, 8 (one small, trumps)

10, 9, S (one small, plain suits)

lo (any other two)

fourth best
10, forced

^ ^

AMERICAN LEADS.

High Card Led {followed by high card).

It will be observed that ia some cases the
higher of two high cards is led on the second
round, when the suit consists of only four cards ;
but that when it consists of more than four
cards, the lower of two high cards is led on the
- second round.

Refer, for instance, to ace, qu., kn., where ace
is followed by an honour. With four of the suit,
ace then qu. is led ; with more than four, ace
then kn. The reason is, that if partner remains
with k. and one small one after the first lead, the
leader, holding five or more originally, desires
the k. to be played to the second trick, so that
his suit may not be blocked. But if the leader
had only four originally, he cannot afford to let
the second trick be won twice over, as then
there is a much greater chance that the eventual
command will remain against him.

It follows that if A. leads originaUy ace then
qu., B. will place kn. and one small one in the
leader's hand ; if A. leads ace then kn., B. will
place qu. and at least two small ones in A.'s
hand.

So, also, if qu. is led originally. Ace may
be thrown second hand. A. afterward has the
lead again. If he has led from only four cards,
he cannot afford to waste his partner's singly-

Il8 AMERICAN WHIST.

guarded k., so he now leads the kn. But if he
holds two small cards in addition to the kn. and
lo, he wants B.'s k. out of the way. Therefore,
with kn., lo, and more than one small card re-
maining, he goes on with the lo. Again, he
leads the higher of two equal cards when he
held but four originally ; the lower when he held
more than four. See Tables of Leads, Nos. I.
and II.

And B. will count his partner's hand. The
lead was from four cards at most, if qu. is
followed by kn. ; from five cards at least, if qu. is
followed by lo. ,

Now suppose qu. is led, and that the second
hand puts on the k. A. gets the lead again,
and all question about B.'s blocking the suit is
at an end. That, however, is no reason why A.
should refrain from informing his partner
whether the lead was from four cards or from
more than four. A. therefore pursues the uni-
form plan of continuing with the higher of his
two indifferent high cards when he led from a
1 of four ; and of continuing with the
lower of his two indifferent high cards when he
opened a suit of more than four.

The same applies to kn., lo, 9. Kn. followed
by 10 signifies 9 and at most one small one re-
maining; kn. followed by 9 signifies 10 and at
least two small ones remaining.

Now, what American leads propose here is to

AMERICAN LEADS. 1 19

make the rule constant by extending it to other
cases. Thus, with k., kn., 10, the ro is led.
If the 10 forces the ace, and A. gets the lead
again, he has no alternative but to go on with
the king, as his high cards are not of indiffer-
ent value ; consequently, no information can be
given as to the number of cards led from. But
suppose the 10 forces the qu., or both qu. and
ace, and that A. obtains the lead and desires to
continue his suit. His k. and kn, are high in-
different cards, both marked in his hand, and it
is in one sense immaterial which of them he
leads. But he may as well tell his partner
whether he led from four cards originally, or
from more than four This he can do by pur-
suing the uniform plan of selecting on the sec-
ond round the higher of his two indifferent
cards, — namely, the k., when he remains with
k., kn., and only one smalt one ; or by selecting
the lower of his two indifferent cards, — namely
the kn., when he remains with k., kn., and more
than one small one ; just as he would, for exam-
ple, in the case of a lead from qu., kn., 10. To
know whether your partner led from k., kn., 10,
four in suit, or from k., kn., 10, more than four in
suit, may be of great value, especially in trumps.
Hence the third maxim of American leads, —

Wiik two high indifferent cards, lead the
HIGHER if you opened a suit of four ; the lower
ifyoH opened a suit of five.

I20 AMERICAN WillST.

Suppose the lead is 9 from k., kn., 10, 9.
Whether the leader also holds the 8, or smaller
cards, makes no difference. The 9 is still led,
as it is the card which immediately conveys the
greatest amount of precise information. The
qu. comes out, and A. has the lead again. He
now holds three high indifferent cards. If he
leads the k., he remains with kn., ro, only. If
he does not lead the k., he remains with k., kn.,
or k., 10, and at least one other card of the suit.
As between the lead of the kn. or the 10, on the
second round, those who care to play the finest
whist prefer the kn. with only one small card,
the 10 with more than one small card, widening
the order by leading the lowest of three in-
different cards when the suit led from con-
sisted of at least six: cards. The information
of most value is, that the lead was from more
than four cards, and that the leader remains
with the command. This is known, whether the
kn. or 10 is the second card led. The example
is given more to show fine players the effect
of uniformity of play on B.'s inferences than to
proclaim a rule by which the leader may show
whether he opened a suit of four, five, or six
cards. What is particularly insisted on is, that
the leader is not to go on with the k. (qu. being
out first roimd), when he led from more than
four cards.

With ace, k., qu„ and one more of a plain suit.

AMERICAN LEADS. 121

k. then qu. is led, as, upon the lead of the k., four
cards, one of them the ace or qu., are proclaimed.
But in trumps the qu. is first led. Ace and
king are now indifferent cards. After what has
already been said, it is hardly necessary to ob-
serve that if after qu. the leader proceeds with
the ace, he led from at most four trumps ; if
after qu. the k. is led, the leader remains with
ace and at least two small trumps. The infor-
mation conveyed by the selection of the k. rather
than the ace, on the second round, or vice versa,
may be of the utmost value.

Leads from k., qu., and small cards beside are
not entered in the table, p. r i6, because, since the
adoption of the new play, former leads are obso-
lete, and knowledge of correct management can
only be given with analysis in the regular order
of leads, pp. 3l-6lt

With ace, k., qu., kn, of trumps, a proper way
in which the leader can declare to a certainty
that he led from a quart-major is by leading kn.
then ace ; for an adverse strong hand, not object-
ing to having trumps out, may hold up the ace
on the first and second rounds. Hence, after
kn. has been led, ace, Ic, qu, are not indifferent
cards. After the second lead of ace, k. and qu.
become indifferent cards. Consequently, if k. is
led on the third round, the leader remains with
qu. only ; if qu, is led on the third round) the
leader remains with k. and at least one small

122 AMERICAN WHIST.

one. With such very powerful cards it will
perhaps make no difference whether k. or qu. is
led on the third round ; nevertheless, it is most
proper to follow rule for the sake of uniformity.

If the leader opens an ace, qu., kn., lo suit,
he leads ace, then lo, irrespective of the number
he holds in the suit. He thus at once demon-
strates great commanding strength, and enables
his partner to unblock should the third hand
remain with k. singly guarded. The number of
cards led from is not declared. Qu. and kn. are
now marked in the leader's hand, and they are in-
different cards. If on the third round the qu. is
led, the leader remains with kn. only ; if on the
third round kn. is led, the leader remains with
qu. and at least one small card.

From ace, qu., kn., lO, g, the old lead was
ace then g. But this leaves the third hand in
doubt whether A. remains with qu., kn., lo, or
with qu,, lo, or with kn,, lo. The most cer-
tain information of commanding strength is con-
veyed by 10 after ace. Consequently, on the
American plan, if ace is followed by 9, A, can
only hold qu,, to, or kn., 10, and at least one small
one. If neither qu. nor kn. falls, and B. does
not hold one of them, precise information is not
given as to the command. If either kn. or qu.
falls, the other honour and the lO arc marked in
A,'s hand. These cards are indifferent cards.
The lead of the honour on the third round shows

AMERICAN LEADS.

123

an original lead from five cards exactly ; the
lead of the lO on the third round shows more
than five.

However, it must not be forgotten that there j
is such a thing as an exceptional original lead.
Thus, if A. leads qu. and then kn., he may hold
lo only, or one small one only, or lo and one
small one. Hence the only certain inference
E. can draw is that A. has not led from qu., kn.,
10, and more than one small card. '

Again, the play of third and fourth hands
may be occasionally modified by the successful
covering of a medium card by second hand.
Under these circumstances third hand should
be cautious in returning his partner's lead ; I
fourth hand should be more ready, if he has [
no special game of his own, to return the lead I
through the strong.

124 AMERICAN WHIST. ^^^H

The following Table of Leads sums up the

treatment of suits when a high card led is fol-

lowed by a high card : —

TABLE OF LEADS, NO. II.

L^D

From

Suit

.rt

-1

Ace, k., qu., kn. (tcumpa)

Kn.

Ace

Qn.

Ace, k., qu„ kn. (trumps)

Kn.

Ace

Ace, k., qu^ kn. (pUin sutU)

Kn.

Ace

Ace, k., qj., kn. (plain suits}

Kn.

Ace

Ace, k., qu. (tnimps)

Qu.

Ace, k., qu. (trumps)

Qu.

Ace

Ace, qu, kn., 10

Ace

Kn.

Ace

Qu.

Ace, qu.', kn.', and small

Ace

Kn.

Ace, qu, kn., and small

Ace

Qu.

K., qu., kn., 10 (trumps)

K., qu., kn , 10 (trumps)

K., qu., kn., 10 (plain suitsl

K., qu^ kn, 10 (plain suits)

K, qu., kn.

Kn.

Qu.

K, qu., kn.

Kn.

K, kn, 10, 9

Kn.

K:kn^o^|

K, kn, 10

Kn.

K, kn, 10

Qu., kn, !□, 9

Qu.

Qu., kn, 10, 9

Kn.

Qu.; kn.; 10

Kn.

Kn., \o. 9, a

Kn.

Kn,l0,9,B

Kn.

Kn.. .0,9

Kn.

Kn.;to.9

Kn.

10. 9, S, 7 (trumps)

10, 9, 8, 7 (trumps)
10, 9,8(t.uinpsl

fourth hest. seep. 47

10,9, 8 (trumps)

■*

L . -i

THE NEW PLAY.

This term, which, together with that of Ameri-
can Leads, is already merged in the expressive
name American Whist, is given to very recent
improvements by several fine players in lead
and follow, upon time - honored conventions.
The inventions of Mr. Trist in lead and manner
of play are applicable, as tiiey were intended to
be, to the English game ; but in their entirety,
and in the scope of the additions to and varia-
tions of the mode of former practice, the Ameri-
can game appropriates and makes available all
the advantages that both plans can offer. The
"new play" is nearly related to the celebrated
" leads," but it has distinct directions. Its object
is to present and determine the numerical force
of a suit. Its order dififers from that of the
"leads" because it provides for opening the
intermediate suits, and for continuing the play
by consultation of card rank ordy. It proposes
to inform of number of lower cards than the
lead as definitely as the " leads " inform of higher
cards than the lead. It considers the limitation
of the acting value of ail but the two highest,
and does not interfere with the conventional
play of those that are not trickmakers. For in-

126

AMERICAN WHIST.

stance, it leads the i o, not as the head of a se-
quence, since it could not take a trick nor assist
in taking one, but as a representative of one of
the highest cards that can. Again, it leads the
knave at the head of a long sequence, according
to former play, for that card is of service to the
residue of its suit. It leads the qu, and not the
k, when k., qu., and three more are held, but does
not lead the kn. if qu., kn., and three more are
held. The k. at the head of the first named
series is a trickmaker, but the qu. at the head of
the last named series is not. It leads the qu.
when ace, k., qu., and others are held, because the
qu. is the equal of the head of the sequence ;
but it also leads the qu. at the head of its own
sequence, because no one of that sequence is a
master card. By the American lead of the 8,
you know that three higher cards are held. By
the new play of the qu., you know that three
lower cards are held.

It deals with sequences only, and regulates
their play. Combined with the orders for Ameri-
can leads, it completes a system for the theory
and practice of American whist.

Cavendish recognizes that a portion of its influ-
ence can be used in English whist, but because
of its newness, and the necessity of knowing the
manner of its application, he very properly says,
" It will, for the present at least, be accepted only
by players of the first force."

THE iVEtV FLAY. 127

It is claimed that some of the leads were dis-
covered and appropriated before the plan for
their play had been submitted and explained.
In its completeness, however, it is of recent in-
vention, several of the most valuable plays that
can be made under its system having been
planned by American players during the sum-
mer of 1S89.

Mr. N. B. Trist, of New Orleans, concerning
the new play writes : —

The following is the substance of a conversa-
tion which took place over the whist table a few
days ago : —

Partner. What is the matter with you, T. ?
You originally led qu., holding, as it turns out,
ace and k. also.

T. I did so because I have been of the opinion
for some time past that jt is the proper lead in
plain suits when the leader holds more than
four of his suit. When my qu. went round you
should have known that I had ace, k. ; and when
I followed with ace you knew that I held five of
the suit, ail of which information I could not
have given you by leading k.

P. I do not exactly see how I could know
in the first round that you also held ace and k, ;
until you led in the second round, I gave you
credit for kn., 10.

T. If you had reflected a moment, you would

128 AM£S1CAX IVBIST.

bare nodoed that when my qn. went nHind, my
le&4iatid adveisaiy did not bold both ace and k.,
or he would have taken my qo., and, be not hold-
ing both, his partner must have one of them,
in which case my qu. most have been captured.
This not happening, I must have ace and k.

P. Trae, But suppose second hand trumps ?
[ can see it makes no difference if fourth hand
does so.

T. Then you would be in no worse predic-
ament than if, k. being led, it is trum[>ed on
the first round by second player ; in fact, your
chances are much better for ascertaining the
nature of my lead, for there remain two tell-tale
cards, the kn. and lo, either of which you may
hold, or may fall from fourth hand ; while if k. is
led, there is no card left to obtain the lead, for
we are assuming that it was from ace, k, qu,
P. How would it be if I had none of the suit ?
T. Pass the qu., of course. Allow my suit to
become established ; ace or k., falling from sec-
ond player or in your hand, would settle any
doubts about my lead.

Conservative Adversary. It seems to me you
are always after something new. I hope that
this is the last innovation you have to propose.

T. Sorry to say, I must once more run counter
to your prejudices, for I have come to the con-
clusion, in my home-rubber practice, that, with
ace, k., qu., kn., with one or more others, kn.

THE NEW PLAY. I2g '

should be led in plain suits, just as it is in
trumps ; the three remaining indifferent cards
should be used in second round, to indicate
number. An advantage over k. then kn.

P. These leads are not in any of the books.

T. They will eventually get into the books.

Conseniath'e Adversary. Or any other place,
where I hope they will be buried forever. Let
us go on with the game.

They have "got into the books," and that
book or treatise upon whist that does not credit
them win be of small avail. The conservative
adversaries of system, which they do not appre-
ciate and will not understand, must be allowed
to sneer at progress and go on with their game.

Henry Jones (Cavendish) writes : "As, when
I suggest any departure from the whist track
trodden by our ancesto^s^ I am always met with
certain stock arguments, I have taken care this
time to anticipate the strongest of them, viz.,
that only practical experience at the whist table
can decide whether the proposed innovation {as
my critics always call it with a sneer, as if inno-
vations could on no account be permitted at
whist) is sound and useful. I have played, in
the manner proposed, with partners of the first
force, and all to whom I have explained the
method have adopted it, and consider it very
useful indeed."

I30 AMERICAN WmsT.

The plan and play, and manner of the play, are
all American. The order for it was given by Mr.
Trist in the "Field" of May, 1884. The man-
ner of it is an extension or carrying out of the
plan that proposes to designate numerical force
by the original lead, and that also proposes to
specify of what that force consists.

The intimation is, that, by the adoption of the
American Leads and the New Play, certain cards
now led have more and different expression than
formerly, while the order of conventional play is
not disturbed. Thus, the ace is led as it has
ever been, and, followed by the k., proclaims no
more ; but it is also led and followed by the k.
when there are three more, and it is led without
the k. and there are four more : followed by the
qu. as formerly, there are two more ; by the kn.,
there are three more. The k. is led as hereto-
fore to tell of ace or qu. and two beside ; but it
is not now led to tell of more than four in all,
except in trumps. In plain suit, k. from ace,
k., qu., kn., only ; ace, k., qu., and but one
small ; ace, k., and one or two ; k., qu., and one
or two; and in trumps, from k., qu., 10, and
three. The qu. is led from ace, k., qu., and two
or three; k., qu., and three; qu., kn., 10, and
two or three ; qu,, kn., g, and two or three ;
and qu„ kn„ and two smaller than the 7, The
kn. is led from ace, k., qu., kn,, and others ; k.,
qu, kn., and two small; at head of sequence,

THE NEW PLAY. 13I

and when in trumps, k., ku., 10 are held. The
10 is led at the foot of quint-sequence, of quart-
sequence with others, when k. and kn. are held,
and never at the head of sequence. The 9 is
led if k. and kn. and any others, excepting ace
and qu., are held, and never otherwise.

In no event will partner trump original lead of
qu., kn., 10, or 9.

In whist play no deviation is made in the rule
for the last card of the deal to act as trump and
to be turned ; such innovations as the cutting
the trump from another pack, or the hiding the
trump in the playing pack, being of course re-
jected. In truth, each player forms more or
less his plan of play upon the card, no matter
what its denomination, that is turned as trump.
Much of the nicety of calculation based upon
the trump exhibit would be lost by any mode
other than that which allows each dealer in turn
to show and to hold the trump card.

This rule has for a long time stood unchal-
lenged. Any change that is a manifest improve-
ment must of course be made, but such change
must be shown to deserve universal recognition.
Among the diversions from regular practice,
there is one that has certain club sanction. It
consists in cutting the trump card from the still
pack, and allowing it to remain in sight during

132 AMMRrCAN WHIST.

the play of the hand. The argument in favor of
this course is, that all the cards should be located
by the development of the hand in play, and not
by exposure; that if the trump is one of the
dealer's cards. Lis opponent's play concerning it
is not determined by legitimate inferences, but
by exact information ; that irregular play on the
part of dealer and others is the consequence of
the exposure ; and that playing through the card
which is defenseless for the purpose of its cap-
ture is taking advantage of a known situation.

The reply is, that the card turned before the
play begins is not exposed as one that calls for
penalty ; that each player in turn is made sub-
ject to whatever issue may come from his single
holding, and the whole play is uniform ; that it
is not best to have the constant trump reminder
before the players ; that the knowledge of the
especial card in the dealer's possession is of as
much avail to the partner as to the opponents ;
that irregular or improper play need not be
resorted to on its account ; that every player
makes better play, in accordance with the best
system, by the knowledge of the situation of the
trump card and its rank ; that playing through
it for its capture is only what is done at all
times as soon as the location of a card is known ;
and that the absence of an index card in hand
at the beginning of the play and throughout the
play would largely detract from the facility of

THE NEW PLAY. 133

making calculations which may depend more or
less upon the rank of the trump, and which, by
attempted assistance by partner and attempted
defeat by adversary, form the basis of interest
in the management of the cards.

The order of leads is not interrupted, however,
if the trump card is not turned from the player's
pack.

SPECIAL TOPICS.

Folkestone spoke wisely when he said,
" Study your partner's hand," The routine
player seldom takes this advice into account.
E. opens the play with the 8 of hearts. D. plays
the 7. A. holds the ace, qu., kn., and two small
hearts and five trumps, with major tenace. He
should instantly see that the S will take the
trick, that D. has no more hearts, and that if he
passes it his partner will at once give him a
trump. But he sees nothing of the kind. He
flings the kn. upon the 8, thinks he has made a
successful finesse because C. did not play king,
and leads a trump because of his and his part-
ner's hearts ; B. plays the kn. of trumps, and D.
captures it with king. A. has lost a trick, —
perhaps more than one, for he may be forced, —
but all the time he firmly believes that he is
playing whist correctly.

Perhaps good advice about general play is to
the effect that if you are strong in trumps you
are to play your own game, and while of course
consulting what may be done by partner, induce
him, by evidence that you are able to carry more
than he can, to play for you ; vice versa, if you
are weak in trumps, play your partner's game.

SPECIAL TOPICS. 135

Having sequence of qu., kn., 10, from which
you lead qu. and it takes, follow with kn., and, if
it takes, with 10; the k. maybe on your left.
This especially if you care to force right-hand
adversary ; for if ace and k. are both in partner's
hand and C. can follow, it may be D. must
trump : at any rate, you leave B. with best card,
perhaps as a thirteener.

After one round holding three cards of differ-
ent grade and no winner, if you return your
partner's suit, play the low card ; having two,
play highest ; but if you hold the winner, play it
without regard to number.

When you return the opponent's play, lead
through the strong suit up to the weak. If C.
has led from any suit of which D. has not a high
card, you can judge if under-play had best be
tried.

When you can keep the best card of the oppo-
nent's suit, knowing that your partner has cards
of that suit, or not wanting to have him after-
ward forced by their play, retain the command.

Players affected with the trumping mania
sometimes willingly give up their advantage in
order that the suit may be led up to be trumped.
To have the highest card out of the way was
what the adversary wanted, and he will at once
draw the trumps, or play the force if more to his
benefit, and afterward make his suit.

Unless purposely finessing upon partner's

136 AMERICAN WHIST.

lead, holding the strength, get rid of the com-
niand, that he may make his high cards. When
partner leads an ace, and of the suit you have
four small cards, or three in sequence and one
small one, play the third best card ; when he
leads again, the second best. If the suit is
again led, or after trumps are out, when it is led
play your highest card ; for your partner hold-
ing two more, one of which is larger than your
small card, makes both of his, whether you lead
to him or he has the play.

If partner leads a knave and you hold ace and
more than one small one, do not play ace unless
to cover second-hand higher play than kn„ for
he may not have led from k., qu., kn., and two.
If, however, kn. takes and he continues with qu,,
take with ace, that you may give back the small
one ; if you have but ace and one small one, take
kn. with ace, and at the proper time return the
small one.

If you know by the lead and fall of the cards
that partner plays from five of a suit of which
you have but three or four, be sure to get out of
his way, so that your last card will not interfere
with either that he holds. See Unblocking,
p. 86.

You can get out of partner's way in the
trump suit as well as in a plain suit. If you
know that he is desirous of getting them out,
take what he leads with ace, having but one
more, playing back the othei caiA a.'i Qi\ce.

SPECIAL TOPICS. 137

The system of American leads allows part-
ners to give constant information to each other
in course of play. The leader throws an ace
and follows with small card ; whatever that card
may be, the leader holds two in the suit that
are higher, so that, by what the partner holds
and what falls upon the second play, third hand
may often read the two or even the three cards
that remain. Again, the leader throws a small
card, — he has three higher ; third hand should
carefully study to learn what they are. Again,
leader throws a 9, — he has k. and kn. ; and if
when again he leads he plays the 10, he holds
two or three more of the suit, and those high
cards. See American Ltads, p. 105.

In the matter of reply, the partner may in-
form of his own holding. If he has four cards
of the suit, he throws the third best ; and then,
in accordance with the fact of whether his part-
ner or himself should keep control so that all
the tricks possible be made in that suit, he
plays best card in the third lead or follow, or re-
tains it, playing the small one, — the play so
made, after the chance to call in the first place
not taken, not being interpreted as a call for
trumps.

If during the play you throw away the highest
card of a suit, it follows that you hold command
of that suit (or have no other cards than trumps
in hand) ; that is, you hold the next cards in se-

AMERICAN XVmST.

quence. If you throw a second-best card, you
should have no more.

As in playing the only two cards of the suit,
ace, k., you lead the ace, then k., showing no
more, so with other cards in simply double se-
quence. For example ; you play k. from k., qu. ;
qu. from qu., kn., etc., whether you lead or play
to partner's lead, unless he leads a higher card.
If he plays 5 of spades and you play qu. and take
the trick, returning kn., you have no more, but
do not call for trumps by the play. Of course, if
you take with kn., then play a small one, then
play qu., you have yet another ; if you take with
kn.. then play qu., then play a small one, you can
have no more.

Cavendish was a long time deciding about the
play of ace then k., and also about the lead of
k. then kn. from the four highest cards ; but
he has now accepted both. They were printed
in "American Whist " ten years ago. He is giv-
ing the best possible attention to the system of
American leads, the letter-press of his late edi-
tion being changed from the preceding ones to
conform to the new order of things; and his
" Whist Developments " presents the plans of the
American inventor with regard to lead and un-
blocking exhaustively, but liable to revision now
that the orders for the "new play" are intro-
duced.

The difference that exists in the manner of

SPECIAL TOPICS. 139

play by the different methods is more apparent
in the management of trumps than from any
other agency. Short-whist play insists that the
"primary use of strength in trumps is to draw
the adversary's trumps for the bringing in of
your own or your partner's long suit," and advo-
cates their play at once if many are held. But
to play to the score that the short-whist players
keep, equally dependent upon the holding of hon-
ours with the taking of tricks, requires a very dif-
ferent usage of trumps from what is demanded
of the player-who strives for points made by
the tricks alone. For example, Cavendish says :
" If you are at the score of three, the adversaries
being love, one or two, you should not lead a
trump merely because you have five trumps with
two honours, if they are unaccompanied by a very
strong suit or by good cards in each suit ; for
here if your partner has an honour you probably
win the game in any case, and if he has no
honour you open the trump suit to a disadvan-
tage." But not in the play of American Whist
could the matter of honour-count be taken into
consideration. Of course with the cards just
specified the holder would or would not lead the
trump, according to his decision as to the best
way to make his tricks in all his suits.

Short whist says; "With great strength in
trumps you may proceed at once to disarm the
opponents." American Whist says: "The first

140 AMERICAN U'NfST.

use of tnimps is their employ to make our tricks.
If we can make them serviceable to that end, al-
though we lose a trick or more to our opponents'
trumps, and we by skillful play make more than
we can lose, and it may be more than in a defiant
game we should have made, we have used our
trumps to the best advantage." For example:
In short whist A. B. are 3 ; C. D., o. A. has ace,
kn., and three small trumps, and leads a small
one to see if partner has an honour. B. throws
the qu., taken by the k. Now A. and B. are two
by honours, and have to make bu*a single trick
in suit or with a trump besides the ace and kn.
A.'s lead was justifiable, for it determined at
once his game ; he can draw other trumps with
his ace and kn. at his earliest opportunity. But
in our whist, A. holding the same hand is to
make as many tricks with it as be can. He
thinks it prudent at first to lead a kn. at the head
of a long sequence ; B. takes with ace, and re-
turns k,, showing no more ; qu. falls on the left.
B. then leads his own suit, and A. calls. B. hold-
ing qu. and two others throws qu., which A. passes.
B. plays a small one ; A. takes with kn., leads
ace, k. falls, and A. makes all his suit. The
same hand wins by leading it for honour-count
that wins by playing it for tricks ; but seven by
cards is a far more notable achievement than
two by honours.

The partner's lead of trumps should be at

SPECIAL TOPICS. 141

once returned. His call for trumps should be
answered in preference to every other play.
Good players, however, do not use the call unless
for excellent reason. Merely holding five trumps
is not a reason for calling unless there is a gain
to be made in suit. A good player, if he wishes
trumps led, can generally manage to get in and
lead them. The accidental introduction of this
now generally understood call for trumps dates
from the practice of throwing a high card upon
the opponent's lead to stop him from leading the
suit again for fear it would be trumped. If then
he had a good suit and a long one, he might lead
a trump of his own accord ; but if he played an-
other card of his suit, and you then threw a
smaller card than before, the fact was patent
that the play of your first uselessly high card
was to induce him to lead a trump. If he did
not lead one, your partner would at the first
opportunity. This manner of giving informa-
tion is now being utilized upon occasion to the
fullest extent. A 3 and then a 2 is as much a
demand for trumps asaqu.andthenas. It does
but need a spot in excess to serve the signal
purpose ; and the player who trusts his partner's
good sense and quick perception is careful not
to offend either, for if he must make the call he
does so with his lowest cards.

The caller for trumps takes upon himself the
entire responsibility of the game; he demands

142 AMERICAN WHIST.

that his partner leave his own play and play for
him. In response to the call the partner leads
the highest of three trumps, whatever they are,
following with the next highest. If he has four,
he leads the lowest, unless one is the ace ; if the
ace, then that first, then lowest. If he has five
and is aware that his partner has five, the united
hands will lose no trick that can be made.
With this number of trumps and in reply to a
call, he cannot consider the policy of showing
his partner how many he holds, so much as the
manner in which he is at once to make for his
partner's sake his own trumps effectual. For
example : D. led k. and ace of clubs (trey of dia-
monds turned by B.) ; A. called. D. persisted
in his suit, and B. trumped with the 6 ; he then
led the 4 to show A. his own great strength in
trumps. D. played the 7, A. the 10, and C, took
with the qu., his only trump. D. held the ace,
which gave him four tricks in. A. and B. wanted
four points and made but three, and in the next
three hands C. D,, winning all, counted on their
score seventeen points, — a difference and a loss
to A. B. of twelve points in the rubber because
of one absolutely wrong play. For B. when his
partner called should have led k. at head of five ;
D. must then play ace or lose the trick. C. had
but qu., which must have fallen ; A. held kn.,
10, and three others.
The management of trumps is at times by far

' SPECIAL TOPICS. 143

the most sterling part of the game. The differ-
ence in quality of players may easily be known
by watching the exercise of care exhibited by
the good ones in the proper development of the
trump suit, in contrast with the laxity of atten-
tion given by poor ones to the detail, which in
order to insure success must be understood and
closely observed. One false lead in trumps may
ruin a hand and lose a game. A single spot in
follow, two in finesse, may change an antici-
pated gain to a loss of many tricks.

With a reasonably strong trump-hand and a
good suit, it is dangerous to over-trump the
right-hand adversary. He has parted with a
trump, and is weaker for that. The trump
that may be expended in over-trumping to take
a trick might, if at that time retained, be the
means of commanding the hand.

It not infrequently happens that A., having a
good suit and four trumps, tries the experiment,
usually hazardous, of getting out the trumps.
On the third round his partner renounces, and
the best of the last two trumps is left in C.'s
hand. Now, if C. draws that last trump, and A,
has a card of reentry, he will make his suit ;
also, if B. has a card of reentry and one of A.'s
suit to lead. Unless C. or D. has a suit estab-
lished, to draw the trump is not good play ; and
if the established card is in D.'s hand, and A.
has not a card of that suit to lead him, C. should

]

144 AMERICAN WmST.

not draw the trump, unless confident that he can
lead to D. a card of which D. holds one of re-
entry.

The disposition to over-trump is very natural;
but there are cases in which the "moderate
player," as Cavendish styles one of a class, in-
curs constant loss by the practice. The most
frequent examples are when third hand trumps
a plain suit led by his partner, and fourth hand,
holding the best trump and another, over-trumps.
He takes that trick, but if he leads his remain-
ing trump it falls to one higher; and if he leads
the card which he should in the first place have
thrown away, it is taken by one higher, or
trumped. In any event he loses a trick. It is
not easy to tell when third hand in such a case
holds the second and third best trumps. Of
course if he does, over-trumping surely loses,
when he also holds the winner of a suit or the
last card of one.

There is nothing more ingenious in whist
than the act of properly throwing the lead. It
is in this respect that the player of finesse
makes his especial gain. The " moderate player"
only sees the trick that could have been surely
won, but he does not see the two tricks after-
ward made, one of which could not have been
obtained if the lead had not been thrown. If A.
holds best and third best trump, and D. the sec-
ond and fourth best, A. throws upon D.'s best

SPECIAL TOPICS. I4S

plain-suit card his own best card, so that when
led again he cannot take the trick, and is not
obliged to lead up to D. and surely lose. If A.
so throws away the chance of being the winner
of the next trick played, his partner may be able
to take that ; and then, playing through D., the
last three tricks are won. This is when there
are four cards, — a situation that happens at the
close of many a hand.

It is often very much better to lead a card of
the opponent's suit if you have no winning cards
and cannot give your partner one of his suit, in
order that when obliged to do so he may lead up
to your partner, than to play a card of a suit on
which one adversary will discard and the other
play a trump.

One of those terrible persons who is always
getting in a trump, when the second play of a
suit is made, holding the last trump, takes the
trick, thereby making all the rest of that suit
good in the adversary's hands. If he had passed
that card and let the suit be played again, it is
not unlikely that he might have exhausted one
of the opponents, perhaps left the best remain-
ing card of it in his partner's hand. It is not
always well to trump the second-best card of a
suit, especially with the last trump. Judgment
must teach the holder of the trump when to re-

■ frain from its use.

H The player who has command of a suit some-

146 AMEHtCAN WmST.

times forces his adversary to their mutual ad-
vantage where the force is taken ; for it is best
to use the trump upon a card that is not only
sure to take, but sure to be followed by others
equally effective.

If it is the leader's determination to force the
partner, the force had best be taken, although it
breaks the power of his trumps ; for the respon-
sibility rests with iirst player to prove that he
was correct.

Over-trumping is usually safe if the left-hand
adversary is strong in trumps, and is always best
if the partner wishes that trumps should be
played. If after the successful over-trump a
trump can be led, the result is usually advanta-
geous.

If a strong hand of trumps has been devel-
oped by the adversary, the leader and his part-
ner should force that hand if possible. The
cards that must be played to force him may be
winners, but he would trump them by and by, or
they must fall 011 taking cards of his. They had
best be used at once, to the detriment of a bat-
tery of trumps. The card that he may be
obliged to lead may be taken ; if so, another
force had best be made. If the play has been
so traced that his hand can he read, the leader
may know that if his force is kept up a tenace
may be broken by a future lead, and so a trick
gained per consequence of the continuous force.

SPECIAL TOPICS.

For example : Fourth hand, with the last two
trumps, and holding ace, qu., of a plain suit, and
a small card of another plain suit of which leader
has command. Now, if leader plays k. of the
fourth plain suit of which fourth hand has none,
he must trump it and play to him the small card.
First player takes, and leads ace of the fourth
suit ; this uses the last trump, and the ace of
the tenace must next be led, then the qu., to be
taken by the k. of right-hand adversary. If first
leader had not forced, but played instead up to
the tenace, the trump-holder must have made
another trick.

When the play is short whist, it follows that
constant regard be had to the score which can
so easily be affected for the benefit of the party
who is at I or 3. While, therefore, the same
cards held by a short-whist player, if held by
an American player would be very differently
played, yet the principle of the law of lead is
not in any wise changed. It is simply the fact
that the hand of the short- whist player be-
comes an exceptional one, and he uses it to the
best advantage for a different purpose than that
desired by the player of the other game. For
example : A. B. 3 ; C. D, 2. A, holds two hon-
ours and two small trumps, and a good long
suit ; he leads a trump, for if his partner has an
honour, his play thereafter is not to make tricks
but to hinder the opponents from making them.

th-^^l

148 AMERICAN n/lIST.

The American player would lead the fourth-1
card of the long suit.

Again, the short-whist player may hold two
liDiiours, two small trumps, no long suit, no
strong cards, and with no score. In such a case
he leads to ascertain about the honours. An
illustration is offered by J. C. " I hold qu., kn.,
and two small trumps, tierce to a knave and a
small card in the second suit, qu., kn., and a
small card in the third, and a guarded king in
the fourth. With this, which is not great
strength, or with any hand of a similar character,
I believe it so important to find out whether my
partner has a third honour, and whether conse-
quently I may play to win the game, that I un-
hesitatingly lead a small trump. If my partner
has an honour and a trump to return to me, etc.,
we shall probably win. the game, or at least be
very close to it." That is, if his partner had a
high trump they counted two; there was not
then much chance for the adversaries making
five, and J. C. and partner might get three by
card. Of course the American player would
have led the knave at the head of the sequence.

It is a common practice with " moderate play-
ers " to yield a game or a hand when the main
cards are with the opponents ; or it may be sud-
denly to play out their best in every suit, with
the idea that they must get in what they may
be sure of making at the earliest opportunity.

SPECIAL TOPICS.

149

■ This course is generally pursued when the ad-
P versaries are very strong in trumps. But it is
worth something to save the game against fear-
ful odds, and sometimes there is a chance for
doing so. When it is clear that in the leader's
weak suit his partner must be strong in order to
gain something toward the number of tricks
that must be taken, he shoidd not throw his best
cards, but lead from his weakest suit. This ad-
vice we fear will be followed but very seldom,
for the general impulse is to make what can be
made, in other words to "get in what can be
got in " of the high cards ; but it is sound, nev-
ertheless. The leader's partner should finesse
deeply, and in turn lead back his weakest suit,
and deep finesse should be made in that. The
object is to make one or two tricks more, if so
many save the game, than would probably be
made if the high cards were led at once. For
example : if C. D. have three trumps, al! the rest
played, and want four or five tricks, A. B. desire
to hinder them from making more tricks than
their trumps must take. If in such a case A.
considers that " it is of no use, I have only one
or two tricks," and B. thinks the opponents have
three trumps, and they then throw up the
hand, they do what good players would declare
a useless act. For if B. holds ace, qu., and 10
of a suit and two small cards of another suit,
and leads the ace, he will let C. make his k..

150

AMERICAN WHIST.

perhaps his kn., of that suit ; but if he were to
lead from his weakest suit, and A. could take
the trick by deep finesse, and not returning that
suit, but instead lead to B. one of his own low
cards to find it of B.'s strong suit, C. would not
risk his k. or kn. second, and it would be no
matter if he did ; but if he did not, B. should
finesse the lo and lead again the weak suit.
A. taking this pursues the former lead ; C.
either loses k. or kn., and A. B. have saved the
game. We know this is desperate play, but it
is good play, far better than the play of cards
sure to take. It is the only play at such a time
that can succeed. Of course a trump must
come in by and by, but the risk must be run ;
for if either of the suits is to be trumped, the
high cards will certainly be trumped as readily
as the lower ones, while it is demonstrable at
the outset that if the high cards alone are led,
even if they make, they will not save the game.

WHIST PRACTICE.

Study and become familiar with the laws and
leads. Play printed games with the cards be-
fore you. Understand the reason for each play.
Play practice games with good players. They
will not deceive you by false play, but will al-
ways be at their best, as if you were an expert.
Make close inquiry concerning any play that
you do not comprehend. Determine, whenever
you talte a seat at a whist table, whether for the
regular or the practice game, to play in the most
correct manner every card that you may hold.
Never know of good hands, or of poor ones. It
will not happen, in the course of the play of any
hand which may he dealt you, that there is no
opportunity of making a particularly correct
play, the nature or effect of which a careless
player would not appreciate. The credit lies in
playing each hand properly. Remember, in the
American game, that whist is the game of si-
lence that none may break, and of calculation
that none may disturb. Consider that you are
one of four who are about to play, to the best of
their ability, the most intellectual game in the
world. When the trump card is turned, take
up your hand, sort it quictcly, place the trumps

152 AMERtCAI^ WHIST.

always in the same relative position, count your
cards, think how many and what tricks you will
attempt to take. Rememberthe trump; seewhat
bearing it has upon the cards that you hold, but
make no demonstration ; hold up your hand ;
and when it is your turn to lead or follow, cast
the card you care to play upon the centre of the
table, causing no more noise than it makes in
falling.

Watch the play, and remember each detail of
it as long through the hand as it is of conse-
quence for you to do so. Discipline and make
good use of an excellent memory. You cannot
play whist without it. Draw your inferences, as
the cards fall, as to what is meant by the play of
each. If the card is turned upon your right,
generally lead from your strongest suit. The
card that is played at the opening of a game, or
is the first of any hand, may be specially signifi-
cant. A deuce of a plain suit proclaims four
without the ace ; a 9, the k, and kn, without the
ace or qu. A trump of any denomination shows
strength and intimates good cards to follow.
Lead according to the rule that proposes to
cover the hand you hold, unless, in your judg-
ment with reference to the result and a cer-
tainty as to loss or gain of certain cards, you bad
best open a different game, in which case you
assume the responsibility of both attack and de-
fense. In no wise deceive your partner to his

WHIST PA'ACT/CE-

153

B injury. If you have the game by a certain play,

■ make it, regardless of book or creed. The busi-
K ness is to make the tricks. It is almost useless

■ to add, after all that has been said about adher-
f ing in general to the prescribed leads and fol-
lows, that it is best to be guided by the rules.
When your judgment approves the printed
forms (and it almost always will do so when
the cards run with tolerable regularity), follow
them ; when you hold certain cards at a peculiar
juncture, of suit and denomination not contem-
plated by printed directions, or if the books in-
dicate a stereotyped play at such a time, and
you have a point to gain by brilliant strategy,
let your knowledge of the game, and foreknowl-
edge of the probable consequences of your play,
take precedence of book direction. A coup
over which Deschapelles exulted was a cour-
ageous lead followed by independent, brilliant
play.

If your partner takes the first trick that be-
longs to your side, you are to gather the cards
that compose it.

Carefully look for your partner's call at all
[ stages of the game, whenever It is possible he
, may care to make it.

As carefully note which, of the adversaries
[ call, if either, and if the call is echoed.

The language of the lead is to inform your
I partner of the best suit that you hold, and as

154 AMERICAN WHIST.

near as may be o£ the quality of that suit. If
you throw k. of clubs and it wins, and follow
with 9 of spades, trumps, your partner is by two
leads apprised of a powerful hand which asks his
assistance, but in no wise his control. In gen-
eral, having six trumps, lead them. Having
five, and probable success in other suits, lead
them. Having a long, plain suit, lead from it.
Never be afraid of changing suits when practi-
cable. Never care about the matter of hold-
ing high cards or low ones ; make no comment
upon matters beyond your control ; never re-
count what made up your hand. If your part-
ner is a good player, he knows it all ; your
opponents do not care. Talk over plays that
were right or wrong, and give and hear reason.
The proper enjoyment of whist consists in
doing your duty with what you have to piay.
Victories won with high cards are cheap gains.
If the adversary is exultant in the matter of
good fortune, he is an object of pity, since it is
good play that alone deserves praise.

You cannot play whist hurriedly. You have
too much work on hand. Haste makes waste.
You must take time for thought of all that is
being done. Play deliberately, endeavoring to
use no more time over one situation than over
another.

Mr. Mackintosh says : " The man who plays
with equally quiet consideration the low card or

WHIST PRACTICE.

■ the high one in its proper turn secures the good
P opinion of the whole table."

"I wish that you would tell me who of this
club you ca!l a prime whist-player," said a
visitor. " I want to look upon a man who is
exceptional." An introduction was given, and
he made inquiry, "Wherein does a man prove
his superiority in whist f " " By knowing what
to play," was the answer. "Most men at a
practice-game say, and at a regular game think,
' I do not know what to play.' The true player
knows what to lead and how to follow. He al-
ways has a reason for what he does. He makes
his calculations at once upon sorting his hand.
When it is his play he is master of the situation,
and selects his card and throws it. All the rest
of the time his eyes are on the table."

"But does such a man find a mate who can
follow him, interpreting what he plays .' "

" Sometimes, and when it is not understood,

his fine play is of small account. Styles of play

are very different, while all at times are given

to systematic movement. The English play a

game of chance. They trust to ' honours ' for a

large part of their success. They play a short

I game and a smart tell-tale game for a purpose.

I Brilliant play with them is very occasional. We

B have scope for speculation, and, as cards that do

B not take do not count, have no fear of losing un-

B less our adversaries' cards are better played

156 AHfERlCAN iVHlST.

than ours. Whist with us is the great game
that it is, because it affords this liberty to play-
ers, and furnishes such opportunity for calcula-
tion. When a man stands in fear of a proclama-
tion of two or four by ' honours, ' he is liable, to
say the least, to play a sort of humdrum game
to try to gain an odd trick, which after all may
be of no service. If you will place the cards of
a hand which 1 will name, and play them by the
London mode, and then play them by the
American, you will see that one game is a kind
of 'High, Low, Jack,' while the other has re-
warded your skill in the effort of making the
important point. Again, if you will place the
cards of a hand played hurriedly by average
American players, with four leading ones, you
may note that certain tricks will be taken by
such adroit manceuvring as would astonish the
first set, could they but comprehend the reason
for such action."

" But I have heard it said that, with such and
such cards held, poor players would make as
many tricks as good ones could do. Is it true
that two good players opposed to two ordinary
ones can make the most points in each game, or
only in the long run ? "

" It is oftentimes true that as many points can
be made by merely throwing down the kings and
aces on each side, and letting the small cards
come in by and by as best they may, as could be

WHIST PRACTICE.

^S?

made when two good players are pitted against
two ordinary ones. While the business of whist
is to make the tricks, the pleasure of play is in
the mntmi-r of making them. It is true that two
good players may not make headway in an entire
evening of rubbers against two antagonists who
do not know the game. Good players must play
against good players in order to make their own
game a success. To play against ordinary ones
is to play a game of guesswork, for they have
not judgment concerning your action, and will
trust to luck. The game of whist is only played
when the nice points in it are considered, and
the satisfaction it gives is in the fact that, in
gaining those points, correct and brilliant play is
elicited. This is not understood by the ordinary
player, and that is why he should study and
practice in order to compete. When a man //as
studied and practised up to the point of playing
a really fine game, he is the first to tell of his
inefficiency in the days when he thought he had
a knowledge of whist. A great difficulty is expe-
rienced by parties who urge their friends to read
and study and practice whist. The average
player is quite satisfied that he plays as weli as
any one need to do, and will not work up and
out a situation because it takes too long and the
drill is uninteresting. His manner of play is well
lugh for him, but the expert who watches it
is as much amused as the accomplished linguist

158 AMERICAN IVHIST.

who listens to the stutterings of a novice in
Greek."

If players who think that they know whist,
but who do not know what to do at any exigency
of the game, who do not know just what card is
proper to play and can give no reason for its play,
would consider "J. C.'s" statement and resolve
to learn in future, the well-laid plans of their
fine partners would not so frequently come to
nought.

Perhaps there is no more uncomfortable situa-
tion than that in which a good player is placed
when his designs, well planned by a peculiar pro-
cess of play, are frustrated through the ignorance
of a partner who thinks all the time that he is
doing right, and who confidently asserts at the
end of a hand, "Well, we made all there was to
make out of that. I think we did not lose a
trick." There is nothing to be said in reply.
It is possible that just as many tricks were made,
or perhaps within one of as many, as if the fine
finesse had been appreciated, but there is small
satisfaction to the keen manager to know that
blundering overthrew his work and accident ac-
complished a plan. This sort of self-satisfied
persons one must meet at the clubs and at resi-
dences. They admit that whist is a game that
demands and deserves study, but they do not
even get the laws by heart ; and the necessity of
regarding the table and not their hand, when

IVflJST PRACTICE.

'59

Lplaying, they will recognize no more than they
I -will the direction that would preserve silence
1 while others think. Rules need not be written
\ for these, — they will obey none. If you play
with them, you must suffer because of their in-
discretion. They should play practice games ;
but as they are satisfied that they can do well
enough and oniy make occasional mistakes, they
I will never understand the superior sense of satis-
faction that is felt by those who play we!!. Of
course it follows that gooJ players only delight
to play with good players ; still they must at
times make part of an uncertain table, and give
and receive as much enjoyment as it can afford.
Could it but be made to appear to those excel-
lent hosts who ask you to come and make up a
table, that they would be so much more deUght-
ful companions if they would but take pains to
inform themselves how to realize the enjoyment
that genuine whist confers upon its votaries,
there would dawn a new era of extension and
reception of hospitality.

There are no rules for poor players. They are
to become good players by attention to the rules
that good players observe, or they are to con-
tinue poor players and be classed as such. Nor
are there any rules than those already known to
good players when playing with poor ones, for
^1 they are to do their iiest to educate the poor

\:zzzz:

l6o AMERICAN WIIIST.

mend practice-games, in which instruction can
be given while the hands are being played.
They who are not willing to study and practice
should not attempt to play with experts. In
practice-games the laws of play are strictly
observed ; those concerning conversation and
errors suspended. A good player should never
change his course of play established as correct
when his hand is assorted, for any vagary of his
uninformed partner.

He lowers himself and injures his reputation
who falsifies his hand to the opponent's merely
because his whilom partner may not understand
what is correct. What would be thought of
any one of three men who took an ambitious
fourth into occasional business council, and who
changed his cherished policy of right to the
deliberate doing of wrong, merely to keep pace
with the action of the uninstructed new comer?

Study and practice are equally required. No
man from mere reading makes a player. No
man from mere playing makes a player. Men
are too impatient, and desire to learn at once.
A man may learn the early leads from the book,
and put his information into practice. When he
has played one half his hand he is ignorant what
to do with the rest of it, and the worth of the
player is tested more in the management of his
last cards than of the first. It is the usual oc-
currence that, during the play of the last four or

WHIST PRACTICE.

five rounds in each hand, the best players make
the trick which they force the antagonists to

It is seldom the case that a hand is held
which somewhere during its play cannot assist
at a crisis, and he is the good player who does
himself justice at such time.

If your partner does you a service, you accept
it ; if he makes an error, you must accept that
also. If he trumps at the right time and makes
the game, it is your game and his ; if he revokes
accidentally, it is your loss and his. You are
not worthy to be the partner of a gentleman at
a whist table unless, having accepted him, you
stand by him and his play. Beside, it is undue
interference. If the man knows his business,
he wants no reminders. You have no more
right to ask him if he has no card of a given
suit than you have to ask him to lead you a
trump or to take a certain trick. In fact, you
have no right to speak at all, and must be fined
a point if you do so, in which fine he must share
the payment for your folly.

If your partner refuses to trump a winning
card, lead him, if you can, a strengthening
trump.

Consider the situations of the game in all par-
ticulars, and if you want your partner to trump
a certain card, force him by playing it. If he
does not take the force, but discards, you are in

l62 AMERICAN WmsT.

formed of his strength or weakness, and must
avoid another force. It may be advisable to
gain the odd trick that he should, as you think,
nake a trump upon your lead. He will judge
ills own hand, and perhaps pass, that he may
take two, instead of one, or, taking no risk,
make sure of one. The number or the value of
trumps in your own hand has nothing to do
with your action. A good player will see your
intent.

Avoid leading from a suit of which both ad-
versaries have none, for one will discard and the
other trump, and the drawing of the trump will
not probably do you as much service as the fall
of the card thrown away will do you injury.

When you return your partner's lead, if you
had originally but three cards of the suit (you
must have played one, and now hold two), lead
the highest ; if you had four or more originally,
lead a low one. Thus, if you held king, knave,
and 7, and took at third hand with king, you re-
turn the knave ; he knows that you have but one
small one, or no more. If you had the 3 beside,
return the 3 ; when you, by and by, play the 7,
he knows you have another, and can probably
name it. The knave may be most important
for him to count upon as twelfth or thirteenth
card.

The reason why you play a small card second
hand, when holding qneen, knave, and two oth-

syoi

WHIST. PRACTICE. rfij

., is that the queen and knave may make, but
. play knave second, having but one small
,one, for the chance of both high cards making
is very small.

With ace, lO, and another, second hand, pass
1 queen led. The leader may have no better
than knave, 9, and others, and you hold tenace
over them. If it should be that your partner
has king, your adversary may make no trick in
liis suit.

If a low card is led on your right, and you
hold ace and two small ones, play a low one, and
if knave is played third and queen fourth, and the
lead of a low one should again come from your
right, you may play the low one with impunity,
cannot have king or 10, and your partner
" must have one of them.

Having two or three trumps, in answer to
your partner's call, play the highest ; having
four, play lowest ; having five, next to lowest ;
unless in the two latter cases you have com-
manding trumps.

Suppose your trumps are six or seven in num-
ber, your plain suits, from singleton to long, are
made up of impossibilities to take tricks. The
English rule says, play a trump : no matter
what comes of it, you must emphasize that
trump possession. Would it not be well to de-

Icide, " We want so many tricks ; my partner may
have such or such a card or cards, I will play

164 AMERfCAN WHIST.

my own hand properly, and call my partner's as-
sistance for the making of our game " ? In other

words, consider this the proper method of play-
ing whist. In accordance with the hand you
hold, play that hand or your partner's. Play for
yourself or play for him. Under certain cir-
cumstances, and they are not few in number, by
the attempt to play two hands you may be con-
founded. Be satisfied that he is a good whist-
player who can play his own hand correctly.
Follow the system of mutual cooperation cer-
tainly, when in your judgment you esteem it to
be best ; but remember that, as rides cannot be
made to cover all cases, that judgment must be
supreme.

What is required by the game of whist, is to
make the tricks by most correct play. In very
many cases the book leads are right, and you
are not unreasonably to play contrary to their
dictation ; but do not surrender your common
sense to a regulation. A lead may be as grand
a coup as a follow, and if you are playing with a
man who understands the game, he will not look
for set tactics if he know.s you capable of ingen-
ious ones. In any event, it may be that you
coidd not so play as to know much of his hand
until several rounds. Meantime, you may have
lost the advantage that a brilliant play would
have insured. He watches each play and all
developments, aod if you have undertaken a dar-

WHIST PRACTICE.

i6s

^H ing game be sure he will assist you in carrying
^B it on. We know that this will be understood by
H^ good players as we mean to have it understood.
H It will be met by objections on the part of all
f who play by book-rule alone, and to whom the
iron-clad regulations make uniformity of play a
necessity. But we present that first a queen,
and then a king, and then an ace, the latter, re-
nounced and trumped, while two others, not the
best, are retained, does not represent the best
part of whist -play ing.

Technical " mutual cooperation " means get-
ting out the trumps if you have a number, and
telling your partner as quickly and as often as
possible what cards you hold. Sometimes it is
as creditable to make the tricks by the right use
of those cards, not having been at painstaking
to announce them.

When trumps are declared against you, dis-
card from your best suit. When your partner
has strength in trumps, throw the lowest card of
the weakest suit, unless you have command of a
suit, in which case throw the highest of that
suit.

When your partner has led a king that was
taken by the acc/^nd you are by and by to re-
turn his lead, you holding kn, and a small one,
play the kn, ; but if C. led the k., play the small
\ one. C. will probably put on qu., and you re-
L main with the best card

1 66 AMERICAN WHIST.

If you have led a small card from qu., lo, and
others, and your partner takes with the k. and
returns a small card of that suit, you know that
the ace is on your left, and play lo, not qu. ; for
if kn. is in same hand, both will make, but if
only ace is there, the lo will bring it, and leave
you in command.

If your partner leads a kn., it is useless to
play k. upon it unless second hand has played
qu., for ace, and qu. in fourth hand will make at
any rate, and you know that your partner has
neither ace nor qu.

When one trick is wanted, and you hold k,
and two small trumps, do not playk. third hand,
unless the ace has been played, but let the trick
be taken by last player. Your guarded k. must
give you the needed trick.

The law of silence is imposed in whist, that
the status of the cards may be noted and remem-
bered. If you lead a small trump, holding ace,
qu., and three others, second hand renounces,
your partner plays the 9, and fourth hand takes
with k., you see at once that your partner has
kn. and 10. If fourth hand, now leader, returns
the suit to draw two for one, you should play
low one, and let your partner lake and send you
back the kn., as he will see that you want
trumps out, or you would have stopped the play
with queen, that he knows you hold.

Whist is not unlike politics. Thousands upon

WHIST PRACTICE. 167

thousands take part in the game. Complica-
tions are constantly presented. Few of all the
players see the end from the beginning. All
are ready to give advice and assert opinions.
The contestants are many. The statesmen are
few.

American whist stands at the head of all
games with cards, because, in the practice of
American leads and the newly invented order of
suit-play, each card, as it falls from the player's
hand, conveys information. With his own in-
telligence he endows it, and it accurately fulfills
its mission. This statement will have a strange
sound for the man uneducated in the game who
flatters himself he can play whist, while he c
not read the language that is spoken by any of
the cards as they fa!! upon the table of the club.
But it will be understood by the lover and
player of the true game, whose interest centres
upon the fact.^

1 " Do you play whist, sir?" inquired an individual of most
respectable appearance, wbo, cards in hand, approached a gen-
tleman enjoying hia cigar at the rear of the smoking-car.
" Certainly," was the reply. " All right. Will you join the
table ? We want one more." " Do yon all play a good
game?" asked the gentleman. "Oh, yes; they're all first-
rate. We always play on the train, sometimes all the way to
New York." " I would enjoy a good game," said the gentle-
man, "but allow me to ask, as there is a difference of opini
upon these matters, do you play the call and echo, and hold
the twelfth and thirteenth tor a purpose ? " " The irhat
asked the puzz'ed applicanL '' Do yi

l68 AMERICAN WHIST.

There are two methods, the English and
American. The original plan of play for ten
points made by tricks and honours has been su-
perseded by these two : English or short whist
being played for five points, honours counting,
rubber points making; and American whist
played for seven pointSj or all that can be made
as the game, honours not counting, but tricks
alone.

There are variations and imitations of these,
but without authority. A game of five points,
honours not counted, is played, and there are sev-
eral games in each of which some fanciful change
is made, such as playing always with the same
suit for trumps ; or of cutting the trump from a
pack at rest ; or of putting back into the play-
ing pack the card cut ; or of counting the tricks
only that are in excess of those made by oppo-
nents ; or, of playing a certain time for the great-
est number of points, or of playing for a certain
number of points without regard to time, in
place of playing a specified number of rubbers,
and giving credit to each party for all that is
made. All these plans obey such rules as are
agreeable to the players who disregard other
rules, and introduce new rules or forms of play in

knave, or throw the lead to save the tenace ? " "The which?"
" Do yon make youi leads from long suits, and give special at-
tention to the management of trumps i"' "Oh! yes, yes I I
nnderstand now. We cut for tnimp, and then chuck it into Ihe
pack and deal."

WHIST PRACTICE. 169

[lead or penalty or lack of penalty and do not pro-
hibit but rather encourage laughter and talk dur-
ing the play, and contention for opinions after it.
To all these surreptitious games, which amuse
their practitioners, there need be no objection ;
for though they are called by the name of whist,
everybody knows them to be innocent burlesque.
But injury is done by those who pretend to
obey the laws of the proper game, and induce
players to beUeve that they are playing that
game, although certain rules or leads are
changed, nullifying some portion of the correct
system. WhSn these players become members
of clubs whose laws are authorized, it is hard for
them to unlearn what they should never have
been taught.

Whatever card you throw upon opponent's
play to inform partner of your holding is not a
false card, though it may be the higher of two or
more. For instance, you have turned the 10.
On D.'s lead of ace you play qu., informing part-
ner of eventual control. Or your partner turns
qu. D. leads ace, you hold k., kn., and one
small, and play k.

Be very careful not to confound good second-
hand play with signaling, The trump signal is
not used except for special reasons.

If the deuce of a suit is originally led, the ace
' is not held.

Care must be taken in the play of long suits
held between yourself and partner. It is easy

170 AMERICAN WHIST.

to see that, trumps exhausted, if you hold ace,
l™-i S' 4' 3' 2, of a suit, and lead ace, upon which
opponent's k. and qu. and partner's 7 falls, you
must next lead the 4, retaining kn., since part-
ner must have 10, 9, S, and 6, and your deuce
will make the extra trick.

But if you hold ace, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, this is not so
easy of accomplishment. Partner will then hold
kn., 10, 9, 8, 6; and if he does not first play
8, and retain the 6 to give you, a trick is lost.
This is specimen play of frequent occurrence
with suits less numerous.

It is not good play to lead originally from
three of a suit. It matters not what cards are
held. Whatever they are, they should be played
to the best advantage. A hand composed of
qu. and two small, kn. and two small, 10 and
two small, and four small trumps, is not calcu-
lated for trickmaking-, but it may assist in mak-
ing tricks. The proper lead is the smallest
trump. Any other lead is deceptive, and in no
wise strengthens the partner's hand. The
trump lead may not be of service, but it informs
that it is one of four.

Your partner, upon the opponent's lead of
trumps, will not by rule show his number. If,
therefore, he docs echo the call or play, lead him
your best trump.

Do not unguard the k., and do not blank an ace.

Never hold up reentry cards when you have
nothing to make after their play.

WHIST PRACTICE.

rWhen leading trumps for partner's benefit, not
having one of his suit to give him, lead the high-
est and put him in possession of the after-play.
It is unwarrantable play to throw the highest
cards upon partner's low lead of a suit not known
to be the opponents' when they have shown
great strength in trumps. "We must get in
what we can as quickly as we can, because they
hold the power," is false in theory as in practice.
If they have trumps, they are not also Ukely to
have high cards in suits. If you part with your
best cards in suits, they make all the lesser
cards of the same suits when you are powerless.
As an example : you hold ace, qu., and lo of a
plain suit, and your partner has master cards in
another suit ; while in the third plain suit, and in
trumps, the adversaries have all the power. You
get the lead, and as you know that your suits are
eventually to be trumped, and you must get in
what you" can and as soon as you can, if you play
your ace which takes, and then lead a card to
your partner, he takes two tricks. Instead of
three, you should have five. Instead of the ace
you play for partner, then he plays for you and
yoii finesse the lo, you lead back to him, he
takes and leads again your suit, you win with
qu. the trick ; then play your ace, and the k.
that is held on your right falls.

Columns of English newspapers have been
appropriated to the argument, pro and con, as

172 AMERICAN WHIST.

to the punishment for the showing a hand by a
player. Says the " Field : " "A player may ex-
pose his entire hand, so that all the others can
see it, without a card penalty." And this he can
do with willful intent and not be blamed ; while if
he should throw two cards at once upon the
table, his opponents insist on satisfaction. It is
not very strange that such opinions are laughed
at. Of course, when a man shows his hand he
exposes it, and we should fine him a point for
every card that he improperly or accidentally
shows. A man would not be played with here
who should repeat the intentional showing. If
the London clubs would dismiss a player who
so purposely offended propriety, the rule might
stand ; but they are said to tolerate such con-
duct on the part of nnen who " define well the
interest " that they take in the game.

The following specimen of fraudulent inten-
tion Cavendish styles " a very clever' thing : "
"A. once did another very clever thing. He
became a member of a play club where there
was a by-law that, if honours are scored in error,
the adversaries may take them down and add
them to their own score. As a new-comer he
was courteously informed of the existence of this
by-law. 'Excellent rule,' said A., 'capital rule,"
and sat down to play. After a hand or two, his
score being three to love, he lost two by cards,
and observed smihng to his partner, \ Lucky

^ucky ! ]

WHIST PRACTICE. 173

we just saved it.' The adversaries, concluding
from the remark 'just saved it' that they were
four, marked four without further consideration.
But as soon as the score was marked, A. inno-
cently inquired, 'Were you four by cards that
time ? ' ' No, two by cards and two by honours.'
' Honours were divided,' said A, blandly, and so
they were. ' I think you have a very proper
rule here that under these circumstances we
score two. Partner, mark a double.' " A pleas-
ant little cheat worthy of old Fagin. They call
this playing whist in London.

People in general entertain strange notions
concerning whist. Many say, " Oh, I don't
know much about the game. I only play for
amusement. You must not expect me to know
about it. I have n't the time." As well to say,
" Oh, I don't know much about the meaning of
words. I only read for amusement ' Ivanhoe ' or
' Middlemarch.' You must not expect me to un-
derstand them. I haven't the time."

If a man, who did not know how properly to
sound a note, was asked to sing Schubert's
"Wanderer," would he accept the invitation.'
If he did accept, would his singing be a success ?
But he daringly takes up thirteen cards, each
one of which in the great game that he essays,

"Though it have no longue, will speak
Wilh most miraculous organ,"
and does not understand which is the proper
one to play. Consider the situation.

■7»

AMKXICAS IWBIST.

to the poBshiBCtit for tbc showing a hand by a
flanpcr. Sa]rs the " Fidd : *' "A player may ex-
pose lus entire hmd, so that all the others can
9eciu«>AfMtacanipeskalt>-." And this he can
do wttbwflbilinleDt and Dot be blamed; whileif
he 5^'i'm tltrmr tvro cards at once upon the
Ubfe, hss oppooents insist on satisfaction. It is
MM tcry sxnage that such o^unions are laughed
at. Of coarse vben a man shows his hand he
ta pQse s i^ aitd we should fine him a point for
cmy ctrd that be aDpfx>per1y or accidentally
shonrs. A ohub wooM not be played with here
«fen siMMid xvftaX the intentional showing. If
tfce LoMdon dnfas would dismiss a player who
so patposdr offended piopriet>-. the rule might
sttttd; hut tbc^ arc said to tolerate such con-
dttCt on Uk p«rt of men who " define well the
tntenst" tha* the)* take in the game.

The (olk>wii)g specimen of fraudulent inten-
tion Ctvendish stj-les " a ^-ery clever' thing : "
" A. once did another very cle^-er thing. He
became a member of a play club where there
was a by4aw that, if honours are scored in error,
the adperearies may take them down and add
then to their own score. As a new-^iomer he
wais courteously informed of the existence of this
by-law. 'Exct'llenl rule,' said A., 'capital rule,'
and sat down to play. After a hand or two, his
Sci>re being three to love, he lost two by cards,
and observed smiling to his partner, 'Luclq'!

WHIST PRACTICE.

173 1

we jtist saved it.' The adversaries, conciuding I
from the remark 'just saved it ' that they were 1
four, marked four without further consideration. "
But as soon as the score was marked, A. inno-
cently inquired, 'Were you four by cards that
time ? ' ' No, two by cards and two by honours.'
' Honours were divided,' said A. blandly, and so
they were. ' I think you have a very proper
rule here that under these circumstances we
score two. Partner, mark a double.' *' A pleas-
ant little cheat worthy of old Fagin. They call
this playing whist in London,

People in general entertain strange notions
concerning whist. Many say, "Oh, I don't
know much about the game. I on!/ pby for
amusement. You must not expect me to luxw
about it. I have n't the time.** As weC to taof,
" Oh, I don't know mocb aboitf die ■"■"■'^ «f
words. I only read for aaaiaiateM. ' '—-*"•" ' w
' Middlemarcii.* Yoa mut wiC eipaX me t» mb-
derstand them. I haate^t (te tMrr*

If a man, «iio did not ksov I
sound a note, wats MfcgJ feo «i
"Wanderer," would he aeeeft i
If he did accept, woold U* 4
But he daringly takes Wf flMMOT CSM^ «irut<
one of which in the jp«gtf g

With MMt Mkanfiuw w^ '
and doot sol •O'^^rr.^^

one to f -^ff-fted

174

AMERICA!^ WHIST.

A gentleman writes : " It has been said that
no man can appreciate the beauty of whist but
the first-class whist-player, I really liked the
game, as I once understood it, and had plenty
of fun in taking tricks with the big cards, which
somehow I almost always had the good fortune
to hold. I had among my friends quite a repu-
tation as a player, and we used to sit and do
away with the aces and kings, and queens too,
when these latter would run without being
' trumped, but always exclaiming at our ill luck
when such catastrophe happened. One rainy
day last winter, two gentlemen were introduced
to me at the hotel, and I proposed, as an after-
dinner amusement, a game of whist, naming my
soon -to-be-obtained partner, and jocosely telling
them we would show them a little about the
game. Our aces and kings, very seldom our
queens, and never any other cards that I can
remember, took a few tricks, but 7's and 5's,|and
even 2's, called at the last of nearly every hand
for what we had, and thought of value. I was
never so bewildered about anything in my life,
and so vexed that I would not ask for an expla-
nation. But my partner did, and we were told of
long suits, management of trumps, and the value
of the eleventh card, I remember to have said,
' Why, then, it seems my partner and I have n't
been playing whist at all,' to which I received
reply, ' No, sir ; you have been playing pictiu-es,'

res,' I

WHIST PRACTICE.

175

, I wish you to send me such books as I can
tread to advantage, for I hope in time to be of
■those who 'can appreciate the beauty of the

The good player, seated with an ordinary

player as partner, is constantly misunderstood.

When the first four cards have fallen, the good

player has drawn his inference concerning the

,, suit. When the next four have fallen, he almost

l knows where are the other five. By and by, it

I may be, he leads one of these. A good partner

I would know why, and also understand location.

\ But the mere appraiser of so-called royalty will

usually frustrate his intent. At such times the

\ odd card, all arranged for, is put beyond his

I hope ; and, at the close of tbe hand, his partner,

I, innocent of having defeated a well-laid plan, will

^say, "I don't see how we could have played any

Ibetter."

While the opportunity of playing the grand

coup occurs to an individual player but once in

a thousand or more rubbers, the chance of throw-

ing the lead, parting with the proper card, giv-

lilng advantage to partner, or forcing a lead of the

ladversary, occurs in almost every hand. A, had

rthe 9 and 5 of diamonds (trumps). The trumps

I were al! out but four, and A. knew that C. had

l;the 7 and 4. He also knew that C. held the 10

i clubs, of which he had the twelfth card, the

The score was 6 to 6. Each party had five

176 AMERICAN wmST.

tricks in this hand. A careless player would
have thrown the highest trump, and lost the
game. A., throwing the lead and forcing the
play, makes the odd trick.

Ordinary players are desirous to go on with
play, and jump conclusions. " Don't stop now
to explain that; we haven't time; go oh with
the deal." That man will never make a whist-
player. He is like the boy who, when he meets
a word that he cannot pronounce or does not
understand, skips it. Whenever he comes to a
hard place he will play "something," and trust
to luck. Did he but know that the beauty and
worth of the game lies in knowing just what to
do at those trial times! but he will never know
it.

Your partner's hand and your own are to be
played in common, as near as may be, and, if you
have not strength to maintain independence, to
ascertain how you can be of service to him is of
the first importance. Let us take an example,
to ascertain what would be the value, in the re-
gard of a good player, of a hand easily con-
demned as worthless by those who must hold
high cards in order to have their interest enlisted.
The score was 6 to 6. D. dealt, and turned 9 of
clubs. A.'s hand was 10, 8, 6, 5, 2, hearts ; 7, 4,
3, spades ; 4, 2, diamonds ; kn., ro, 8, clubs. A.
led properly the fourth best of hearts, B. took
with qu., and led the 5 of clubs. D. played 7,

WHIST PRACTICE. Ijy

rA. 8, C. 2. A. led kn. clubs, C. 3, B. k., D. 9;
B, ace clubs, D. qu., A. 10, C. renounced, B.
led ace hearts, and his two trumps gave him the
odd card. B. knew that A. led from his long
suit, and dared finesse, but not return the ace.
He also knew by A.'s play of 8, then kn., that
A. had no higher than kn. in trumps, and that
he held the 10. If A. had argued, " I have no
cards that are worth anything, it matters not
what I play," he would have found the diamonds
on the one hand, and spades on the other. D.
would have thrown his last heart on his partner's
play of spades, and trumped the heart led him
for that purpose, making the odd trick and
k game, in place of losing both,

A, and B., 6; C. and D., 5. Eight rounds
have been played. C. and D. have six tricks.
> A. is to lead from 7 and 6 of spades, 10 of
[ hearts, and 9 and 4 diamonds, trumps. Now, as
'■ A. says, C. and D. have all the luck, and it can
I make no difference to him. A., which of all
f these cards he plays. There is a higher tnimp
I than his somewhere, and the sooner he gets rid
L of these small cards and has a new deal, in
[ which he hopes for aces and kings, the better.
L Of course this game is lost with his little cards ;
r he can do nothing to prevent it. By the score,
} if he consulted it, he would see that he wants
I all these tricks to make the game, but he does
not know that by his proper play he makes a

1/8 A.\fERrCAf/ WHIST,

coup far more complimentary to himself and his
partner than was effected by the taking by high
cards of his two earlier tricks. He leads the 4
of diamonds to call down the last trump; then
he can trump a club if it is led to him, and that
may keep the others from going out, and, as he
says, is all there is in this hand. He is surprised
to see his partner's 10 fall on the 4. His partner
leads ace of spades, and then a club, that is
trumped by A., who then leads the other spade.
The k. is played by C, who leads ace of hearts,
and the game is won.

Now, let us put the cards in master hands.
A., knowing that B. played kn. second when led
as C.'s best suit after clubs had run, plays the
7 of spades. B. finesses qu. and returns ace,
taking k., then leads a cliib, which A. trumps,
knowing, as he should know, that B. held the
other trump and no heart. A. leads the 10 of
hearts ; B. trumps, and returns clubs, but not
the best, which A. takes with last trump, and A.
and B. win every trick and the game.

Be very careful about your second or third
hand play when long tenaces are over you at
your left. Thu.s, holding qu., lO, 4, play 10 and
draw k. If fourth player holds ace, k., and 8,
and is obliged to lead, you make the qu. If you
play the 4, you lose all the tricks.

Look over good players ; but though in liberal
Clubs the liberty may be accorded you to see all,

WHIST PRACTICE. 179

see but one hand during' a game. You cannot
trace the action of a single player, if curiosity to
know more of the condition of things than he
does induces you to ascertain the situation of
other cards than he holds. The law that governs
a proper table will allow you to see but one
hand, for the reason that bystanders, passing
about behind the players, may confuse their
game. Watch the one play, and try to under-
stand the reason for it in detail. If you do not
understand, ask the player, after the hand is
played, to explain. There is no good player who
will not gladly give explanation.

Be punctual to the instant in an appointment
for whist. Remember, if you are fifteen minutes
late, it is not the loss of that time for which you
must apologize, but for the loss of the forty-five
minutes of the time of three other men.

Whoever would lilce to talk but a little, even,
at a whist table, must recollect that whatever he
would say can be reserved until after the hand
is played, and that, though one only speaks, three
hear, and each of the three must be more or less
disconcerted in his own plan of calculation.

Your partner has turned qu. When you
lead a small trump to him, he takes with kn.
and returns the 3. I Tow many trumps, at least,
has he? Suppose he takes the qu. and re-
tums kn., how many trumps, at most, has he?
Suppose he takes with ace and returns k., how

l8o AMERICAN WMIST.

many has fae? Suppose he takes with k.
returns qu., how many? If he takes with qu.
and returns k, how many?

When trumps are out, or all that are in play
are in your partner's hand or your own, it is
known that the play of an unnecessarily high
card, and then a lower one, docs not mean a call
for trumps, but it does mean that the party so
playing has good cards in that suit. For in-
stance, hearts trumps, and exhausted ; your part-
ner plays k. of clubs, you 7. He follows with ace,
you play 6 ; he knows you have the qu.

In shuffling, one of the best modes, usually
called the whist-shuffle, is to throw a part of the
cards from the right hand among the rest of the
pack in the left. Care should be taken that none
of their faces should be seen. Never stand a
part of the pack upon the table and force the
rest down into it ; by so doing you cut or tarn
the edges.

In dealing, keep the cards level in the hand
from which you deal, and point them downward
when thrown.

In the library or drawing-room a table is made,
and A. says, as he looks over his thirteen cards,
" I declare I don't know what to play ; " and B.
responds, " You would if you had my hand ; it 's
awful ; " and C, says, " Well, play j«Hrthing ; I
can follow suit to (Taj^hing ; " and D. groans,
" Yes, give us something. I want to get through

:. and 1

IVHIST PRA CTICE. \ 8 1

■ with this hand." Not one of the party happens
to hold three aces, three kings, three queens, and
four trumps, and is not satisfied. They do not
think that among them is distributed all the
cards there are, and that it is by the best use of
such as each may chance to hold, the great game
is played.

A literal sequence may be of two cards, but in
whist parlance it means three or more of value
consecutive, either of which can be taken only in
its own suit by a card higher than the highest of
the three.

The leader must play coups as well as the fol-
lower. Brilliant play is well-judged digression
from routine play. It is the partner's business
to watch for and inteqiret this. The gain that
s worthily made is made by skilL The tricks
that are made by calculation denote the player.
Independently of the fact that a lead from a
long suit is better than one from a short suit,

. because it informs your partner, your own hand

' is benefited by such play. Suppose you have
ace, qu., and 4 of hearts, 10 and four small clubs,
ace and two small spades, trumps, and qu., kn.,
diamonds. If you play the fourth best in clubs,
your hand is intact for use in all the other suits.

. If your partner plays qu., holding k., and D.

' takes with the ace and leads a diamond, his long
suit and your short one, your kn. may take a
trick, or pave the way for the qu. to do so, al-
though you have but two.

IS2

AMERICAN WHIST.

To the practice of "calling," objection has
been made because it is said to be a signal so
definite. It is no more so than many others.
Whist is cards at conversation : they speak, not
the players, except through them. When an
ace is thrown away, it says: "The king and
command remain." When a knave is thrown
second, it says: "The queen wants the next
trick, if you take me." The call and the echo
are proper plays, informatory to all, to be obeyed
by one party and resisted by the other. The
call is easily learned, and is more common in
practice than many whist signals. It is more
abused than many. Some parties in its use can-
not avoid, as it would seem, accompanying the
making it with an earnestness not attendant
upon any other play. All this is wrong. The
partner sees, and knows, and remembers what
is played quietly ; the better the partner, the
less necessity for affronting his common sense.
The call is made not only at the beginning of
the play of the hand by the fall of an unneces-
sarily high card among the lower ones, and then
a lower, but it may be made at any time during
the hand, and by cards of any denomination.
The qu. and then the kn. upon a lead is a call,
as well as the 3 and then the 2 ; and the dis-
card is equally effective. A 5 thrown away, and
then a 4, is a definite call or echo. You si^al
in one suit for the play of another. Certainly,

WUIST PRACTICE.

183 ,

for if it was that suit which you wanted, you are I

playing it now, and may throw what card you ■
please. You ask for trumps, having many and
wanting advantage. Your adversaries are not
deceived. It is a signal that requires two rounds
to complete. You read other signs in single
plays. If you play a k., and change the suit,
the inference is you have ace and kn. If you,
second hand, have a knave and 5, you throw
the kn., hoping that the leader will change his
suit from k. led. The playing of a high card in
such manner, and afterward the lower card,
gave rise to the general admission of the trump-
call tactics.

A false card is a card played that deceives 1
the partner. It must not be confounded with
one that is merely irregular in lead or follow,
A discard that may be made instead of one that
could have been made is not necessarily false
play. Coups are always irregular, but they are
not false but brilliant variations from routine.
If second hand plays ace, holding k. upon a small
card led, he plays a false card ; but if he throws
away an ace, retaining deuce of the same suit, he
does not play a false card. If a player leads the
10, holding qii., kn., and small cards, he plays
falsely; but if he leads the 10, holding ace, k.,
and others, intending to draw any three cards
and to hold control in order to make his long |
suit, it is not a false card.

|S4 AMERICAN WHIST.

Perhaps there will be some difference of opin-
ion between players about deep finesse and the
forcing of partner when weal( in trumps. But
there need be no question in the mind of any
strong player holding the tenace and other
trumps as to the propriety of deep finesse in a
plain suit, that if unsuccessful throws the lead ;
or of giving partner an opportunity to make a
card of his best perhaps his only suit, before he
hurries him to trump a low card, necessitating
a return lead that cannot probably be made to
the best advantage. It is one thing for A.
strong in trumps to lead to B. the suit of B.,
when B. is weak in trumps; but it is quite an-
other thing for A. to force B. to play a small
trump, and then ha\'e B. lead to A. the best
suit of B. But the best mode of play is for the
best players to adopt ; and they will not be in-
fluenced by haste to force a trump when by
care they can promote a much more satisfactory
result.

Cases are exceptional where leads from short
suits, because of calculation as to result, can be
proper. But such cases do occur, and it is keen
Judgment that readily appreciates the situation,
and dares to throw the lead despite the rule.
Grand coups deserve no more credit than grand
leads. A brave player in certain cases takes the
respon.sibility of the game from the start, and, if
he has a good partner to quickly read his mean-

WHIST PRACTICE. 185

rbig and to assist him at any sacrifice, he will
win by a series of brilliant play tHat would elec-
trify a mere follower of book-rule.

Play over illustrated games, and note all the
explanations for their conduct.

" Study all written maxims with the cards placed be-
fore you in the situations mentioned." — Mathews.

You will not hold the same hands at the table
in regular play, but yon will meet with situa-
tions similar,

"When a player has committed a series of puerile
mistakes during a rubber, every one of which is re-
ferred to as bad play in whist books, and then an-
nounces with an air of triumph that he never read
a book on whist in his life, it is rather disappointing
for his partner to inform him that his style of play
indicates the fact." — Drayson.

In the overplay of the hand, see if you can im-
prove upon the play of partner or opponent for
reasons that either might have had, governed by
the knowledge of the play as it progressed.

It is not well to lead trumps from an utterly

doubtful suit of trumps. For instance, holding

k., kn., 7, 4, or qu., 10, 6, 3, better lead a plain

suit, for you may lose every trick. In this mat-

I ter of trump-pi ay ing, regard must be had to the

\ fact that in short whist there is always place

I for the ascertainment of honours ; but you are

[ obliged to make points. And the number of

t86 AMEICICAX wjiisr.

points that you have to gain gives freedom for
finesse

The call from your partner to you or by you
to him for trumps is by the play of an unneces-
sarily high card upon a plain suit led, and after,
a lower card, or by the discard of a card higher
than that afterward discarded. The echo is
made by the same mode of play. If you have
five trumps and not ace, k., at the head, you lead
the fourth best as in plain suits. If your partner
has four trumps, he makes it manifest, unless
he takes the trick by the throwing of a small
one, and after, one smaller. If he takes the
trick and then plays a very low trump, you may
infer that he had four originally, or that he has
no more. The proper leads of trumps have been
given. Should you lead a low trump through
k. or qu., turned on your left, and your partner
takes with kn. or lO, having but one more, he
may not return the lead. You then have it at
option, upon obtaining the lead in a plain suit, of
playing again either through the turned trump
or of attempting to take it.

No man takes up twice the same hand, per-
haps never takes two hands that have close re-
semblance to each other, save only in the num-
bers of the cards that form the respective suits.
Leads may be ordained for him, but by and
by, as the hand is being played, there comes
a choice bclwi^en what is most proper to be

WHIST PRACTICE. 187

thrown. The good player is conspicuous here,
and his action must be read and understood by
his partner. What made Deschapelles "the
finest whist-player beyond any comparison the
world has ever seen"? The doing of those
strange deeds of finesse, to the depths of which
no book logic can reach. His was a briliiant,
daring game. As the position of the cards de-
veloped, he planned for their fall. The plati-
tude of an ordered game was not for him. Let
us have an illustration. Lecon., p. 22 : " Seven
rounds were played. It was his lead, and he
held tierce to a king in clubs, the 7 of spades,
the queen of diamonds, and the last trump, a
small heart. He must have all the tricks. The
king of diamonds was with his adversary. The
king and queen of spades had both been played
and made by his left-hand opponent. The 10
and another diamond were with his partner.
Four spades were out, and the two highest must
be with his partner. Clubs had been piayed but
once, and the 10 had taken the trick. The
book-player, if indeed in his monotonous follow-
ing out of suits he could have arrived at such a
crisis, would play the knave of clubs, and if his
partner played properly he would have won the
game. But Deschapelles threw the trump. On
. it his partner, who saw that the club sequence
was the cause, played the ace of clubs, and Des-
chapelles read the reserved tenace in his hand.

1 88 AMERICA ff WHIST.

He led the spade, which was taken, and the ace
returned by his partner. Upon that he threw
the qu. of diamonds, and to the 4 of clubs next
led he played the knave, and then the king

and queen."

It is the manner of play to which we call at-
tention. Men must remember and must plan
who play with such as Deschapelles. The de-
tails of whist are not microscopic but kaleido-
scopic, and the illimitable changes must be
noted as they go, A sketch of one of Descha-
pelles' beginnings follows. He held: —

Ace, king, g, 3, diamonds.
King, queen, 8, 6, clubs.
Ace, 1, 4, 3, a, spades.

8 of hearts turned to his right.

He led the king of diamonds, which took;
then the king of clubs, which took ; then ace of
spades, on which his partner threw the king,
and Deschapelles at once followed with the 3,
Where is Mr. Pole with his "theory"? What
shall Cavendish and J, C. say to this ? "Avoid
changing suits." "Never force yoiu* partner
if weak in trumps," and he had not one. At
our imitative English short-whist clubs, the ace
of spades would have been loyally played at
first ; then, frightened by the fal! of the king,
the leader would have thrown the king of clubs
or king of diamonds, that suit to have been

WHIST PRACTICE.

kept uninterrupted so long as he had to lead it.
B. (Deschapelles' partner), holding queen, knave,
and lo of spades, took with the lo and led a
trump. Three points were required and made,
the last trick taken by the queen of spades.
There is more of life and interest in such a
game than in an hundred that plod on with
three cards in succession of a suit until it is ex-
hausted, and the thirteenth held to come in after
the trumps are out.

In the main, the counsel is wise that advises
the fellowship of the hands, and the adoption of
the long-suit lead. But the brilliancy of whist
is manifest in its independent play. One of the
most accredited plays of Deschapelles consisted
in trumping his partner's trick, and sending him
back a card to take at highest cost. Another
advantageous play, to which his own name was
given, was made for the purpose of throwing the
lead with the highest card of a suit, to iie taken
by an opponent with one still higher. But the
great player did not violate principle in the least.
It may be said in reply that he combined the in-
terest of his partner's hand and his own for the
most favorable results. So he did, but it was
by the performance of a deliberate, venturesome
act, for which a " theory " that proposes to reg-
ulate play furnishes no explanation.

An individual theory upon any subject-matter
may be advanced. It is Mr. A.'s or Mr. B.'s

igo

AMERICAN WHIST.

opinion : each man may have his own ; it is his
privilege of speculation. The modus operandi,

or " theory," as it is called, of some principle as
exerted in a certain direction, may be named as
in accordance with or opposed to action taken
by agreeing or discordant " Iheories." But the
theory of a science, an art, a creed, or a game
means, if it means anything, an embodiment and
exposition of all the laws and principles which
direct and govern its practical administration.
The theory embraces maximum information.
When we tell of the theory of a subject, we
mean its underlying principles and all the wealth
of its understanding, its value morally, reli-
giously, intrinsically, as an art, belief, or science.
It is an easy matter to construct a so-called
"theory;" easiest when there is little opposi-
tion to recognized assumptions. A man may
be at much painstaking to transmute accepted
regulations into discriminating statements, and
call the result a "theory." " But a person who
uses an imperfect theory, with the coniidence
due only to a perfect one, will naturally fall into
an abundance of mistakes ; his predictions will
be crossed by disturbing circumstances, of which
bis theory is not able to take account, and his
credit will be lowered by the failure." Dr.
Pole's "theory" declares that two hands sJiall
be combined and treated as one, but as practi-
cally that is impossible, unless the individual

WHIST PRACTICE. 191

I plays a du.nmy game, the positive declaration is
not important. The nearest approach to dual
tactics that fact will allow is in the gradual re-
vealing of the situation of unplayed cards.
Again, this " theory," trenching upon practice,
may insist that the lead shall always be from the
longest suit, in order to aid the theoretic idea of
combination, but the ingenious player, choosing

tto reserve his strength, may win by practical
management of which such " theory " does not
dream.

The "fundamental theory " of music is found
in the knowledge of harmony and melody, not
in the employment of a certain scale, upon

I whose octaves all order of expression must be
written. Heat is convertible into mechanical
energy, but the manner of conversion is not the
theory. Steam in theory is elastic, but the
available plans for its use by Watts were but the
elicitation of theory. The theory of life does
not consist in giving instructions how to live,
but in presenting the principles upon which in-
structions are to be founded. The instructions
[ may at times be incorrectly drawn, and are sus-
iceptible of change, but the theory is immortal.

A theory is in no wise to be changed by prac-
[ tice. The "theory of play," or, what is better,
t the theory of rule of play, is quite another mat-
L ten If it be argued that the attempt shall al-
p ^oays be made on the part of each player to play

iga AMERICAN WBJST.

his partner's hand as best he may in common
with his own, and that, in order to a mutual un-
derstanding, the long-suit lead is proper, that is
A.'s or B.'a plan to insure the most tricks, and is
a regulation for the game in practice. If this
were all, if this were the "^fundamental theory "
of the game of whist, wherein should we have
briniaBt play that might at any moment sacri-
fice partner and role .• What need of laws for
practice, honoring principles, if theory were sal-
istied by the obe^-al of but one ? Is not theory
the sura of principles to be applied, and practice
the manner of application 1

The misapprehension of terms is shown by an
anecdote of a financier, who explained to certain
capitalists that in a contemplated venture they
could not make money beyond the expenditure.
" That is all well enough theoretically," said one
of the parties, " but how is it practically ? "

" Practice," says Sir William Hamilton, "is the
exercise of an art or the apphcation of a science
in life, which application is itself an art, for it is
not every one who is able to apply all he knows,
there being required over and above knowledge
a certain dexterity and skill. Theorj-, on the
contrary, is mere knowledge or science. There
is a distinction but no opposition between the-
ory and practice ; each to a certain extent sup-
poses the other On the one hand, theory is
dependent upon practice: practice must have

WHIST PRACTICE.

193

preceded theory, for theory being only a generaJ-
ization of the principles on which practice is
founded, these must originally have been taken
out of, or abstracted from, practice. On the
other hand, this is true only to a certain extent,
for there is no practice without a theory. The-
ory is simply a knowledge of the principles by
which practice accomplishes its end."

The question that is sometimes put, What is
the theory of American or Standard whist ? is
not improper or unexpected. Whist is a part-
nership game at cards played in silence, in which,
more than in any other, intellectual acumen and
the use of memory are demanded. When con-
verse during the play is denied ; judgment
exercised as to what course of play will win the
largest number of tricks ; skill shown in deter-
mining how best to act when written regula-
tions, not laws, are disregarded, as well as how
to act in conformity to rule ; observance made of
routine and departure from it ; inference drawn
from, and reasons assigned for, the player's ac-
tion ; and honorable conduct assumed through-

t, — the theory of whist is expressed in prac-
tice. When it is stated that these principles
and the decrees that govern practice must be
obeyed, that partners shall enjoy their interests
in common and agree to conditions that are just,
its theory of law is written. All minor exposi-
tion of principle in play is recital of its deeds.

194

AMERICAN WHIST.

Whist is eminently practical, following intellec-
tual guidance, but not submitting to autocratic
rules. Whist theory announces the existence
and knowledge of a game whose value by mental
application can be ascertained, and the funda-
mental principles upon which the management
of that game is to be conducted, to which the
players must conform, and not the regulations
for its play, which, though generally adhered to,
may at times be disregarded. The rules are not
a part of the theory, since that can admit of no
modification. The theory, the principles, the
laws, must not err in any particular. The rules
that are for practical use are at the mercy of
the judgment of the player.

The table at American whist is matter of
agreement. The players decide how they will
play. The table at short whist is seldom ar-
ranged as the players themselves would have it.
The table at American whist is seldom ar-
ranged otherwise than as the players desire.
U is customary at an American club for two
players to challenge other two, or for four players
to fomi their evening game. There is no cut-
ting in at this table, and no admission to it save
by agreement. If there were no denial to the
party who does not know the game, when would
four persons who do know it be sure of an op-
portunity for playing it ? Courtesy .' Yes, at
certain times and places, when proper to be

WHIST PRACTICE. IgJ

extended. But the one fact exists and rules, to
make the difference in tlie practical play of the
two games. In the one, the discourteous man
has the chance to press in, whether prepared by
knowledge of the game or not ; and by the rules
it is discourtesy on the part of four men to deny
the one man the privilege of inconveniencing
them all. In the other, there is no understood
reason why four men should be considered as
the possessors of no rights because one man
supposes that his will should be paramount. It
is a very simple matter for men who desire to
play whist with good players to accompUsh their
wish. Let them study and observe and leam.
It is with whist as with mathematics. The man
who never heard of Euclid may not hope to sit
down with professors.

Cavendish, who is truthful in his statement
that long whist is preferable to short, and who
says '•» perfect game ought to excite such
an amount of interest that it may be played for
*its own sake, without needing the stimulus of
gambling," asks this question : " If the game is
sufficiently interesting to keep the players pleas-
antly occupied, and to afford material for inno-
cent and healthy enjoyment, why play for a
[ stake at all .' " and adds, " None of the quoted
I writers have answered this question."

When we consider that all his " quoted writ-
rs" agree in their preference for the short

Ig6 AMERICAN wmst.

game over the long one, " because money
changes hands with such increased rapidity,"
we very naturally conclude that some time will
probably elapse before they will answer the
question. But we on this side of the water can
make reply that there is no reason why intel-
ligent men should ptay for money, but that, on
the contrary, the game that forbids its use is
considered by those who play it to take prece-
dence of any intellectual recreation in the world.
In it the cards are made to represent ideas,
occasioning its results to be victories of cal-
culation. Chance, however, has its frequent
opportunities for baffling the skill of expert ad-
versaries; but the holder of master cards must
see to it that he uses them all to the best
advantage, for the gain to which accidental
possession promises insurance is liable to 1
subtraction that ingenuity may compel

There is a story told in detail by on»of the J
best players in America, that enlivened one of
the great clubs of New York, and that is said
to have induced several prominent men of that
city to study whist. We give a portion of it in
the narrator's words : "I visited the rooms of
the officials at the Grand Station, and was in-
troduced to , a railway magnate. My

business over, and copies of my papers made by
one of the swiftest of stenographers, I took my^
hat from its place with others that ^

-3, I took myi^^H
it were in '^^^|

WHIST PRACTICE. I97

line, and said, as I was making sure that I had
the right one, 'Yes, this is mine ; it was at the
head of the sequence.' *Do you play whist?'
'Sometimes.' 'Do you play well?' 'I am
trying hard to do so.' An appointment was
made. . , . My partner was the gentleman of
whom I have spoken. We played against two
fine players, one of whom {we will call him C.)
never before met either my partner or my-
self in the game. We were successful, having
made in the course of the play some very good,
even notable, strokes, that between the deals
were freely discussed. At lunch, C. said to me :
' You beat us. You hurled railroads at us. I
am not in the habit of playing with men who
handle cards as they do great properties, and
yet those are the very men who can understand
the game of whist.' "

The laws of American whist are few, for
much is assumed to be done upon principle that
needs no direction. The cards having been
dealt, it is customary for the first player to wait
until ail are ready and then make his lead, after
which no word passes between the players until
the last card of the hand has been thrown. If
in the course of play a card is thrown out of
turn, the offender takes up the card, and the
proper person plays. At the close of the hand

^L turn, th
H proper I

198 AMERICAN WHIST.

the opponents take a point as penalty for the
accident. In case of revoke, the party offending
suffers as in original whist, — three points, or
three tricks. No interruption is caused by a
spoken appeal or reminder : such offense is
punishable by the loss of a point. The conse-
quence is, as may readily be imagined, that the
charges for revokes and playing out of turn are
very occasional.

The matter of how much time is required for
a rubber is of not the sUghtest consequence. A
game or a rubber is merely a stopping place, a
halt as it were. You may make changes there
or continue. A very long rubber is preferable
to a short one, because there has been so much
more opportunity for play before the making
of a record. In English whist, the quicker the
rubber is over, the better ; everybody is in a
hurry. In American whist, a rubber occupies
from one to two hours, and the play is discussed
after each hand played. Therein is the interest.
Sometimes the hand is over played and ana-
lyzed. It is a game of enjojinent because of
painstaking.

It may happen that the original lead of second,
third, or fourth leader had best not be of his
own suit. For instance, A. has led a small cluh,
on which B. throws the 8, and D. takes with the g,
D., holding no suits for declaration, plays the 10
c. through the strong hand. Or B. may have but

WHIST PRACTICE.

199

ace, k., and taking with ace may play k. Or C,
may play qu., D. may be forced to play kn., and
C, strong in trumps, may lead a low card back
for D, to trump.

Again, it may be that the best original play
third hand can make is to return a low card of
the suit originally led. Such course may give
first player the most proper information.

It is more difficult to order the second lead
than the first Usually, for instance, holding five
after the play of ace, fourth best is played. But
much depends upon the fall of the cards as well
as the condition of the leader. It may be ace,
kn., 10, 4, 3, are held. Ace is led and the j and 2
fall, partner renouncing. The 10 and not the 4
is the proper lead. Or, it may be, second hand
may throw qu. on ace and third hand k. The kn.
is then the proper play.

It is well at certain times for a leader to re-
tain a strong trump suit, leading a card which
does not deceive from a short suit. But it is not
well for a player to hold his trumps merely be-
cause he has many. If he says, " I play from
three trumps, or from four, but holding five or
six I lead a plain suit," he virtually says, "I play
for my own hand, though it bankrupt my part-
ner, "

We have said that the lead of qu. at head of
three was not a strengthening play. The lead
of kn, at head of three not the lO and 9 is one

200 AMERICAN WHIST.

of the worst of leads. It signifies nothing ami
avails nothing.

While the g led to designate k. and kn. held is
one of the best leads that can be made, yet that
combination, led up to with small card by part-
ner, is one of the most ineffectual. Finesse
should not be made in it. Play the k., and if it
takes return the kn. Of course if partner leads
the S, play a small card, for he must hold ace,
qu., 10. If strong in trumps take with the 9 and
play a trump. If you pass the 8 and he is strong
in trumps, seeing the situation he will play his
best trump.

The assertion is made that it is not always
well to lead from the longest suit. The best
whist does not consist of merely the getting out
of trumps, and making tricks with four or five or
six cards of a plain suit. When it can be done,
it is proper enough for trickmaking, but only
the fortune of the cards confers the privilege.
Better play can be made by management of short
suits, when no long suit but that of trumps is
held. If the trump suit had best be led up to,
and, by a short suit lead which does not deceive
the partner, the player can compel such play, he
may make his tricks in very proper manner
Suppose the original leader to hold qu., kn., 10,
and 2 of hearts, k., qu., and 3 c, and 10, 7, 6 4, 3,
2, d., the k. d. turned. His best lead is the qu. h.
The lead of the 4 d. may ruin his partner's hand.

WmST PRACTICE. 20I

Suppose he holds k., kn., 9 of spades, two little
hearts, two little clubs, and six trumps headed
by qu. not in sequence, the Q of s. is his best
lead. If, however, he has kn. and two low spades,
qu. and one low h., k. and one low c, and six
trumps of whatever quality, he should lead a
trump.

The mistake of holding up the trump because
the leader has no suit is most frequently made
by ordinary players. Trumps are led originally
for one of two reasons: (i) because the leader
is to have benefit from their exhaustion, and {2)
that his partner may be assisted to make his
suit. Whenever a player, therefore, leads from
a short suit for no other reason than because he
holds several trumps which he declines to play,
and especially when by such lead the table is
deceived, he proclaims himself unreliable.

Playing up to the weak in trumps, and often-
times in plain suits, may be the best order at
a certain time. A. leads the 6, C. trumps. C.
throws the 2, B. the 9, and D., holding ace, qu.,
ro, 4, takes with 10. D. should at once lead
back the 4. Or A. leads the 7 h. C. throws 3,
B. 10, and D., holding kn. and 6, takes with kn.

ID.'s next play should be the 6,
Whenever the partner holds the remaining
trumps, play to him your best cards, regardless
of tenaces. At such times never speculate nor
finesse.

AJifEfifCAN WHIST.

jf the I

Players who advocate the turning of
trump from the still pack give two principal
reasons for such action : First, that the best
whist may be played if no card in any hand is
known ; second, that the trump card may not
be played through. Elsewhere, p. 131, we have
alluded to this matter. Perhaps it is better that
some one thing should be known at the begin-
ning of play ; and secondly, upon the discovery
by play that would most probably be made, a
high card of any suit in any hand is liable to be
forced. At any ratSj there is enough for the
original leader to consider, although he begins
having knowledge of one card that is held by his
right-hand opponent, The trump card turned
is, as it were, a kind of regulator, and the advan-
tage of knowing what it is, is shared alike by
every player and in regular succession. The
practice, therefore, of turning the trump from
the active pack is not detrimental to the in-
terests of the best game that can be played.

True whist is the development of calcula-
tion. He is the best player who looks into the
future of the hand and makes his gains on the
errors of others, or compels the play of the op-
ponent. To give a trick and throw the lead to
make two tricks for the one given is worth more
in play than to take ten tricks with leading
cards. The score that is made by master cards
is of small account ; the score that is made by
quality of play is of great account.

WHIST PRACTICE. 203

To show how little persons who play what
they call whist know of the game, we will sup-
pose that A. holds k,, kn., g, 8, and 4 c, that C.
holds qu., 10, 7, and 2 c. ; that B. has no club ; and
that D. has ace, 6, 5, and 3. A, leads the 8 c. C.
follows with the 3 c. B. trumps, and D. plays the
3 c. B. takes up the trick and leads. Every one
is satisfied, and no one knows that he is not play-
ing whist, and yet every player has played wrong-
fully, A. should not have led the 8 ; but if he did
lead it, C. should have played the lo, B should
not have trumped, and D. should have thrown
the 5. Every good player will understand the
analysis.

Once more, A, holds k., kn., 10, 6, 4, and 2 h.,
trumps. C. has the 9, 8, 3, B. the 5, and D. the
ace, qu., and 7. He plays the 6 or 4 or 2, C. plays
the 3, B. the 5, and D. the 7. C. played wrong-
fully, but A. has thrown away a trick. Here again
the whist-player will know that the kn. was the
correct lead, no matter what partner may hold.
These instances of wrong play, so far from being
occasional, are constant, correct play being un-
known to the general player.

Probably in nine hands out of every ten that
can be given, the man who thinks himself a whist-
player, but who is not such from study, will lead
and play one half the cards he hokls improperly.
We will add the hand that Cavendish gives :
ace, k., and qu. s., S c, ace, k., qu., and 3 d.

204 AMERICAN WHIST.

(trumps), and g, 8, 6, 4, and 3 of h. What man
who does not know the principles of whist would
properly lead the 4 of hearts ?

We do not admit that there is a valid excuse
for the play of false cards. If you hold qu., kn.,
and a small card of a suit, of which your right-
hand opponent leads the 8, and you argue that
cju. and kn. in your hand are equal cards, and
play the qu., you have deceived your partner,
whom you lead to suppose that you have but
one card beside qu. played, or that you have k.
and another. You have certainly told him that
you have not the kn.

Trumps should always be placed by a player
in the same relative position in his hand, per-
haps at the extreme right or left. Good players
have enough to do to attend to their own hands
and to watch the cards as they fall, and are not
guilty of espionage. But it will be impossible
for any player to ascertain the rank of trumps
in any other hand, as they need not be disposed
according to rank, or to determine how many
are held, as there is no visible dividing hne be-
tween the cards. The assertion that the number
and value of trumps in a given hand can be as-
certained by any other player finds its force in
the gross carelessness of the player who holds
them.

The handling of thirteen cards during a dozen
consecutive hands by the fine player, as by the

WUIST PRACTICE. 205

ordinary one, may be very much the same, be-
cause the chance for brilliant play is but occa-
sional. But there comes a Itand, and in it a
chance. The ordinary player stumbles through
it, and makes the major cards. Give it to the
line player,.with a partner of his own strength,
and he will plan a play of it that will as far
outrank the thought of the other man as Jay
Gould's manipulations of :i railway scheme over-
shadow the actions of a dabbler in its stocks.
After the holder of the high cards has exhausted
his battery, the holder of low ones may by infer-
ence and calculation know how to do something
that will get one trick which could not have been
made save by such careful management. There
is more value in this action than in a hundred
pound-downs of aces and kings.

Again, the moderate player in the early part
of a hand succeeds, by trumping or forcing or
playing leading cards, in making a certain head-
way. This very gain, whatever it is, might per-
haps have been much more ingeniously obtained
without the trump, the force, or the showy play.
There is but one trick played for in a hand ; the
rest will make of their own accord. If you play
over the cards that are played in the general
way, you can see wherein might have been, if
not a gain, at least a better mode of play ; and
the better mode of piay is the very thing to learn
and to practise.

2o6 AMERICAN WIIIST.

It is very easy to understand that great at-
tention must be given to be able to accomplish
designs that must be completed through calcula-
tion. Then does it not follow that all interrup-
tions hinder and annoy those who are carrying a
purpose in their brain ? Of course the talk of
penalties and claims for cards in error are con-
fusing, and though they effect or settle an
instant purpose, they interfere with considera-
tions concerning what is to come. That is why
it is that whist is a great game ; and it does not
matter how it appears to the player who does
some seemingly smart thing in an ordinary way
in the early part of a hand, and who is badly
playijig the cards that he is so sure he under-
stands. He sees what he thinks is a surety, and
accepts it ; he does not see what the issue is to
be.

It is true that all whist-players are learners ;
that the better they play, the more they see how
much there is before them. Nevertheless, the
good players are the students of the principle
and system of which that future development is
the superstructure. If persons do not know how
the foundations are laid, their judgment as to
what can be built thereon will be worth very
little.

Two gentlemen about a year ago declared
their intention of learning whist, and joined a
club for that purpose. One of them played at

WHIST PRACTICE. 207

^Bfcvery chance with players of all degrees, and
^V^Baw what they did, heard what they said, and
tried to practise what seemed to him to be best,
as the different plays and different remarks con-
cerning them gave opportunity. The other
watched one hand at a time, asked questions,
took printed games and played them through,
and read the reasons for what seemed to him
peculiar. When the first man afterward began
\ to study, he had to unlearn the greater part of
I what he had thought was right ; when the
1 second man began to play, he taught the mys-
f teries of finesse to some of those who had played
I longest.

Unsafe advisers are they who assume to

I know what is best to be done, founded merely

I upon the practice they have had. Such persons

I are ever ready to tell of what they have " tried,

[ and it worked well," and what they believe to

t be the " best play," no matter " what the books

I say." Be sure of one thing, — whenever a

I player boasts that his knowledge was gained

rfrom practice and none of it from books, the

I real player has no difficulty in crediting the

I statement. It will constantly be seen that a

I good player not only plays the hand that is hope-

i as well as it can be played, but also the

I hand that is mediocre, that is very good or very

strong ; while the moderate player merely throws

away the first two, and almost always loses a

trick in each of the second two.

« J

208

AMERICAN WHIST.

If four gentlemen who call themselves whist-
players, but who never yet individually or collec-
tively did or could sit in silence while exciting
and interesting business with cards wa„ being
transacted by themselves or others, would re-
solve, and keep the resolution, let come what
would, for the space of five minutes, or during
the play of a single hand of cards held by them,
to observe ex<ery things but never speak of anything
until the last card of all that hand had fallen,
this, their first lesson in luhisl, woidd be replete
with satisfaction.

Cards are employed unworthily and have a
bad reputation. So has gold, and for the same
reason.

We anticipate the remark which some proper
person may make to the effect that he believes
players of card games squander time, and desire
to agree with him, confessing that much time is
ignominiously wasted at the card-table. But if
he ignorantly places whist upon his r6le, we as
readily desire to be at issue with him, and to
assert that he could possibly commit no error
more likely to be exposed, to the great discom-
fiture of hastily formed opinion. Men of busi-
ness, or professional men, must have recreation,
and the fascination of a game which, while it
calls for the exercise of ingenuity and observa-

iVHIST PRACTICE. 20g

Ftion, constantly yields pleasant satisfaction,
I while the result is more or less within the do-
[ main of skill, is not to be criticised because of
I its demand upon time for its investigation. It
[ is a singular fact that while the game of whist,
I properly played, requires the close attention,
I .calculation, inference, which must be bestowed
I Upon an important mercantile transaction, the
I transfer of mental application proves congenial
I to the rest that the brain demands.

nan who has accomplished in business
matters a satisfactory resiilt, at the end of a
day's toil is weary ; at night he applies like con-
centration to his game of whist, and is refreshed.
The greatnesses and the littlenesses of a man
come forth at the whist -table. The fairness or
the meanness of his life-ways have illustration
I there. His dogmatism, egotism, or his philoso-
phy and manliness, are apparent. In no place,
j.at no time, will overweening anxiety, impulsive
I action, or nervous disposition sustain such de-
I cided rebuke as at this silent game. In like
I manner, honesty of purpose and propriety of
I action take to themselves the unspoken compli-
I ment. Is it a waste of time, is it not rather a
I gain, when men strive to do away with undue
[action or emotion, while under the potent sur-
I veillance of friendly antagonists, and learn to re-
I Bpect more and more the proper deportment of
I their fellows ? Which is the best employment

2IO AMERICAN WHIST.

for an evening, — criticising the doings of Fitz-

John Porter's court-niartial, commenting upon
the inability of Dennis Kearney to govern Ire-
land, dozing over a fifteen-cent novel, finding
fault with the morals of everybody excepting
Smith and yourself, and having grave doubts
about Smith, or playing a game of intellectual
whist ?

If it were true, as many proper people urge,
that any game of cards is mere amusement, even
then let players have the best, and play as well
as their capacity permits. But the error con-
cerning whist lies in the assumption that it is
to be classed with any game of cards. Any
building is not architectural. It is for the man
who built St. Paul's to show you how to be lost
in space while you confess completeness in de-
tail. It is for the student and appreciator of its
infinite changes to understand and practise to
advantage the game of most wonderful revela-
tion. We do not propose to recommend as
available, in any regard, the playing at playing
whist, the mere letting fall of picture-cards and
throwing away as useless all others in their
turn, the mere gaining of tricks by the use of
what is termed a good hand, the mere desire to
make game with the least effort, although even
this commonplace may pass for pleasure and
the strain upon the business man's mind may be
relieved thereby ; but wo do mean the game that

WHIST PRACTICE. 2

is accomplished by emleavor, tlio cards managed
for the best effect, since he who knows, observes,
and remembers holding the good hand or the
poor hand, will inevitably use the same to better
advantage than the careless player. Nor do we
counsel a hurried game in which dependence is
placed on proof of Fortune's favoritism, but the
working game, in which, whether gain in points
is made or lost, errors in play do not occur, are
not allowed to occur, wherein finesse, and lead
and follow, and throwing the lead, playing for
the fall of other cards than one's own, remem-
bering what has been done, observing what is
being done, and calculating upon what must be
done, retaining, inferring, that result may be as-
sured, even if it be all for the purpose of thwart-
ing a single advance, or gaining a single trick,
or making a single brilliant play ; the working
game that asks for utter competency and enter-
prise, that is played through to the last, and that
makes the last part better than the first, that
plays for value of the play irrespective of what
chance may order, — this working game is
what we call the highest order of whist and the
greatest game in the world.

IRREGULAR LEADS.

Irregular may be another word for forced.
Irregularity is sometimes another term for bril-
Hancy. An irregular lead is a finesse upon the
lead. An irregular lead, unlike the play of
a false card, must be made only when it can
do the partner no harm. Lewis, of London,
calls a well-judged irregular lead one of the tri-
umphs of common-sense whist. When a player
has strength in trumps or cards of reentry, he
voluntarily makes an irregular lead. The rules
are intended to apply to the usual conditions of
the player's hand, and the usual propriety of
play, but they cannot cover specific cases. The
judgment which obeys the laws may violate the
rules ; and in any event, when there is no rule
there must be judgment. Irregular play is
made after several rounds. The order for the
opening is seldom disobeyed. It may happen
that, before C. can make his original lead, A. has
exhausted trumps save only the thirteenth in C.'s
hand. C. holds a suit of ace, qu., and four small
cards. If, on getting in, he leads ace, and B.
holds k., kn., and a small card, when C. follows
with fourth best B. plays kn. and makes two
tricks. If C, sure of his power, leads fourth best

FRREGULAR LEADS. 2I3

originally, B. plays his small card and D. may
take with lo.

A holds ace, kn,, and one small. To make
two tricks he may play kn. But at the stage of
the hand at which such play would be made
from necessity, if C. held k. and qu. he would
cover and risk the ace. In the event of any
other holding of the suit, A. gains nothing. A.,
however, would be justified in leading the small
card, retaining the tenace.

The lead of the lowest card of any three is
irregular, but it may be proper for A., holding
ace and two small, to retain command. The
small card may let his partner in to play his
suit, while the ace remains a card of reentry.

All underplay is irregular. It is finesse upon
the lead. But it is not only justifiable, but
proper, and at times provokes brilliant play.
Usually, when opportunity is given for the play,
the regular leads have been made and there is
chance for display of ingenuity. While there is
iflo satisfaction in the following up of suits that
make play monotonous, the converse of such
action is exhilarating. There was once a say-
ing, "Avoid change of suits," but now the game
is wearisome that obeys it. Original leads may
be forced leads. A., informed by B. that B.'s
suit is clubs, remains with the last trump and a
Sure suit. He also holds k. c. and two small.
[t is his original lead, and the k. c, is his proper

214

AMERICAN WHTST.

Ace, qu., lo, org and three small may be held.
If by a card of reentry or the last trump the
holder can be sure of a second lead, he may
draw three cards of the suit by the play of the
qu., and make all the rest of the tricks. This
he could not have done if k. and kn. were in op-
posing separate hands and he had led the ace.

Hearts, trumps, exhausted, you holding thir-
teenth. You have ace, k., lo, 4, 3, 2, c. If you
lead ace, then k,, your partner, uncertain of the
situatioD of the last trump and aware that op-
ponent led trumps originally, discards upon the
k. from his best suit, D. regulates his play ac-
cordingly. But if you lead for qu. or kn. to take,
and D. plays qu. holding two more, he may lead
through the strong hand or up to a tenace.
Your lead to that tenace would have lost a
trick.

It is irregular, holding a long suit, to lead a
short one, but the best play may happen in this
wise. You hold kn. and four small diamonds,
kn. and 5 spades, a. and k. c, and four small
hearts, 6 s. turned on your right. You have no
suit to make, and there is no need of your reen-
try clubs. If you play a diamond, you may force
your partner ; at any rate, you can be of no ser-
vice to him. Lead the ace c, then k. ; if he
calls, your kn. s. may be very useful. If he does
not call, he sees that jour hand has no value,
and will either make qu. c, or give you a chance

IRREGULAR LEADS. 215

to trump the suit, if possible for him to get the
lead.

Irregular leads are not to be confounded
with false leads. A false lead or play is one
that must deceive the partner or the table, while
an irregular lead may be properly made and for
sufficient reason. For instance, a player violates
law when he leads from a suit of two or three
cards if he has a better or a longer suit to de-
clare, but he may have strength in a suit which
must be developed before it can be used. Sup-
pose a player holds two small cards of each
plain suit and seven trumps. He must lead a
trump. Any other lead is a deceit. But if he
holds ace, k., g, 8, 4, 2, of a plain suit, three low
cards of another, and four trumps, and leads
the 8, it is not a deceit nor false play. His
reasons are, that he has not strength enough in
trumps to lead one ; that if he leads ace, then k.,
he parts with command ; that if his partner can
play trumps for him he will do so ; that he shows
three higher cards ; and that bis play will bring
down three of the suit which he desires to clear
and establish.

Again : a player may hold ace, kn., 10, 4, 3,
of a suit. He leads the ace, and neither k.
nor qu. fall. If, now, he leads the 4, the trick
may be taken by the g or 8, and the higher
cards held up. His second lead of the 10 is
irregular, but it is a forced lead, not a false one,

2l6 AAfERfCAN WHIST.

Again : a player holds lO, 9, 5, 4, 2, of a plain
suit and leads the + The qu. falls second, the
k. third, and the ace fourth. If, on getting the
lead, he plays the 2 to show his suit of five, it
may be taken by opponent's 8, the kn. held up.
If he leads 10, and it is passed, he either takes
the trick or retains command. Again : a player
holds a double tenace and a small card of a suit,
kn. and three small of another suit, the ace of
another, and four small trumps. He leads the
lowest card of the suit headed by kn. It is not
his best suit, but his reason is a good one for
not opening that. His partner takes with k.,
and returns a card of the ace suit. He takes
with ace and leads his lowest trump. It woiJd
seem that he was very strong in the first suit
which he led. But analysis will show that both
leads, apparently irregular, were justifiable.

Brilliant play is oftentimes phenomenal, but
never false. There is always good reason to be
given for its exercise. Some players, desirous
of doing a strange thing, make an attempt to do
it by a lead or follow whose speculation is not
warranted by good judgment. Players had best
consider that there is enough for them to do to
observe the play of others, and to regulate their
own by the proper rules. Only those players
who, because of much study and by experience,
understand wherein brilliant play may be made,
are successful in making it.

PLAYING THROUGH THE STRONG
HAND.

The value of the force by A. upon C. is not
always properly estimated. The idea that, if
C. desires trumps played, neither A, nor B, can
desire that they should be played, is apt to
have too much weight. Great pains is some-
times taken by both A. and B. not only to ab-
stain from leading a trump, but in every manner
to hinder C. and D. from doing so. Players
forget that play through the strong is play up to
the weak. It may be that, when C. has called,
A. can make no better lead, not even from his
own strong suit, than a trump through the calling
hand. The trumps must come out, and A, can
understand that B. will not lead up to C D. of
course in obeying the call must play through A.
and up to B. But that may be a very different
matter, in so far as A. and B. are concerned,
from the play of A. through C. up to D. Fear
of playing the adversary's game, and unwilling-
ness to assist it, deters the play of a trump
through that adversary's hand. Such play is apt
to be looked upon as the doing of just what the
opponent desires. But if it is done, in the way
in which he does not desire it to be done, and

2l8 AArE/trCAN WHIST.

the lead comes from the quarter from which he
least expects it to come, perhaps the only gain
possible to be made may be by the bold lead
assured. Again, it is thought that when C. ob-
tains the lead he will, by the play of a low trump,
allow A.'s qu. or lo to make over the best card
that D. may hold.

The advocacy of a rule to play the trump
through C. is not proposed, but only the consid-
eration urged that the card or cards which A.
must lose should be lost at highest cost to the
opponent. Suppose C. calls upon ace, kn,, and
three small. A. holds qu. and 6 ; B. the k., lo, 2.
If A. leads qu. through the calhng hand, and C.
takes with ace, B. holds the tenace. If C. does
not take, the qu. makes. Of course, if A, does not
so lead, and C. gets in and leads small trump, A.'s
qu. makes, but B. has no knowledge of the ace.
A. B. are to make two tricks at any rate ; but
if A., having his chance to do so, leads through
the calling hand, E. knows who holds the ace if
C. does not play it. Suppose that A., taking the
trick, follows with the 6. C, knows that A. can
have no more ; for A., holding qu. and two others,
would not have led qu. through the call. C, can-
not now place the lo. If he throws ace, it will
not bring the k. ; and if he throws kn. to let k.
take and be out of his way, he may leave lo and
a small card in B.'s hand. If C. D. hold the
trumps, D. having k.. A., by his lead of qu., has
done no harm to himself or partner.

PLAYING THROUGH THE STRONG HAND. 219

Or, suppose that C. has called upon five
trumps, k, high. B. has ace, kn., 2. A. has qu.,
6. A. leads qu. through the call, and unless C.
covers, giving up control, A. B. make three
tricks in trumps. If instead A. leads from
plain suit, and D. gets the play leading to the
call, A. piaying 6 and C. finessing 10, A. B. can
make but two tricks. If A. should play qu. and

C. k., the result would be the same.

But it is not alone the matter of making an
extra trick (which may be improbable) that A.
considers when playing through the calling
hand. He can see no chance for gain if he does
not do it, and while such course is not made nil-
able, and is not at times advisable, yet players
will do well to remember that the pronounced
strength is less dangerous in second than in
fourth hand.

It may be said that A. exhibits weakness by
his lead. True, but he assists B.'s strength.
It is evident that C. is strong, it is possible that

D. is weak. The point is, in what manner can
A. make a card of the third or fourth rank most
useful? We give an example from actual play.
C. had called. A. held the kn. and g h, trumps.

C. held k., 10, 6, 4, 3. A. on getting the lead
would not playkn. h., because, he afterward said, I
such course would be the play of C.'s game, f

D. on getting the lead threw the 8 h., on which J
A. threw 9, C. 10, and B. took with qu. D.,

X20 AHERlCAJf WBIST.

wfaen next hariog the lead, threw 7 h., A. kn.,
C. Ic, and B. ace. C afterward drew the j, and
with the other trumps made game If, when D.
threw the 8, A. had played kn., the result would
have been in C.*s favor. A. B. could have made
but two tricks. But if A. had led the kn. and
C. had not covered, A. B. would have made
three tricks, saving the game

The gain by play of a second round of trumps
through original leader is frequent. Clubs
trumps. A. holds kn. and g, C, holding k., qu.,
6, 3, 2, led 3. B. threw 4, D. 7, A. 9. A. then
declined to play kn., because it was C.'s lead.
C. on getting the lead led k. c, which B., holding
ace, 10, 5, passed. Diamonds were afterward led,
and A. took with ace and led a heart. D. took
the trick, led the best heart, which took ; then,
on the tenth round, a small heart that C. trumped.
C, on the eleventh play, threw the diamond lead
into B.'s hand, who made ace c, and lost the 10
and game. Had A. followed his taking with
the 9 c. by the play of kn., A. B. would have
made three tricks. If C. had thrown qu., B.
would have passed, and A. would have seen the
proclaimed tenace. When A. afterward made
his ace d., he could have forced on spades, which
by the play of the heart he had declined to do,
not knowing the situation of the trumps, and
fearing lest B.'s best trump would be drawn, and
all the diamonds made. It is evident that if B,

PLAYING THROUGH THE STRONG HAND, 221

could have been helped to make his tenace and
best diamond, the game was won ; also that no
harm could come, but only probable good, by the
kn. play.

It is for the player numerically weak in
trumps to consider that his chance for using
them upon plain suit tricks is small ; that his
trump or trumps will be drawn ; that his right-
hand opponent, weak in trumps, cannot interfere
with his own partner's play ; and that making his
partner third player in the suit of second player
may leave that partner with a tenace, and per-
haps with the command.

FINESSE.

The rules for lead and follow have changed ;
but the law of finesse, the strength and beauty
of whist, has never changed, will never change.
Deschapelles and Clay put the fact on record
that throwing the lead, even by what seemed to
be the loss of a trick, was equivalent to a gain ;
for the rest of the play could then more easily
be managed to advantage. Clay's orders for
finesse are as valuable to-day as they were in his
time : —

"With ace, kn., lo, and one or two others in
trumps, I cannot think it wrong, unless there is
obvious reason for making sure of two rounds in
the suit, to finesse the lo. It is afinesse against
two cards, the king and the queen ; but unless
both these cards are with your left-hand adver-
sary, you have preserved to yourself the tenace.

" I have spoken of the finesse in the high
cards ; but it must be remembered that when
these cards have been played, the finesse of the
lowest — say of the 5, with the 5 and the 7
against the 6 — is as valuable as that of the qu.
from ace, qu., against the k.

" In order to finesse, it is not necessary that
you should hold the best and third or fourth

FINESSE. 223

best, etc., of a. suit. Finesse is possible, and
may be forced on you, with almost any combi-
nation of cards, sequences excepted, — say with
k., kn., against qu., the ace being in ; or with qu.,
10, against kn., the ace and k. being both in ;
or with combinations of less importance.

"I would offer the following opinions, not I
fancy very generally entertained, for the consid-
eration of experienced players. With ordinary
hands, finesse may be deep at their commence-
ment, should contract as they go on, until in
the last four or five cards there is scarcely any
opportunity left for finesse, properly so called.

"When weak in trumps, — say even with no
trumps at all, — finesse deeply in the suit in
which you believe your partner to be weak, in
order, as long as you can, to protect him from a
force.

"Again, say that you have led from k., 9, and
small cards, and that your partner having taken
with qu. returns to you the 8. You know that
he has now played to you the best card he hokis
in the suit, and that you have to contend not
only against the ace, which you know to be
behind you, but against the kn, and 10, neither
of which cards can be with your partner. The
position is difficult, but there is no help for it.
You must pass your partner's 8. It is a finesse
against two cards, but one or possibly both of
them may be with your right-hand adversary, in

224 AMERICAN WHIST.

each of which cases you will have played to ad-
vantage ; and even in the worst case, that you
find both kn. and lo along with the ace behind
you, you have yet retained your king guarded,
and have not given up the entire command of
the suit,

" This leads to the consideration of another
numerous class of cases, which although not un-
similar cannot strictly be called finesse. Take
the same cards as given in the last example.
Your partner equally takes with the qu. and re-
turns the 8, but your right-hand adversary re-
nounces the suit You now know that the ace,
lo, and kn. are all three behind you, and it is
true that there is no finesse against a hand which
has none of the suit played. Still, you would
do very wrong to play your king ; you must
pass your partner's 8, and you still hold your k.
guarded, which prevents your left-hand adver-
sary from going on with the suit without either
giving up its command or forcing his partner.
Your ' king thus guarded may still be of great
value to you, as your partner will certainly not
continue the suit, and your right-hand adversary
cannot. To have played your king would have
given the entire command of the suit to your
left-hand adversary, than which no position
could be worse. Cases similar to this are of
frequent occurrence, and should be treated on
this principle."

J-INESSE. 225 J

The simplest form of finesse (one of two with I
which the general player is acquainted) is finesse J
proper. A, leads a low card; B., holding ace J
and qu., plays qu., risking the k, on his left.

The other is the obligatory finesse, A. leads
a small card from qu., 10, etc. B. takes with k.,
and returns the lead with a small card. The
ace must be on A. '5 left, perhaps also the kn. ;
but it cannot be helped. A. must play the 10.

Now, there are four more modes of finesse |
unknown to the general player. They are : —

(i.) The returned finesse.

(2.) The finesse by trial.

(3.) The finesse on the partner.

(4.) The finesse by speculation.

It will be readily understood that these varie-
ties were of Deschapelles' invention, and that
they are applicable especially to American
play because that calls for the use of all the
cards, and these finesses look from the opening
of the hand to its close for their results. We
give a brief definition of the several forms as
practised by him, who regarded his own game
as one of signal (conversation by the cards) and
finesse. The daring and enterprise of his play
would utterly disconcert the routine players of
our time, as it is said to have frighted England's
"isle from her propriety."

The returned finesse is made upon the lead
of left-hand adversary. When being played

226 AMERICAN WHIST.

through, a card is thrown that it may be he can-
not take because he has already thrown, not his
third or fourth best, but his best. Your jrart-
ner may be in a condition to take this trick, and
it remains with you to make the finesse, if you
care to do so.

'VacfiMesse by trial'is when right-hand adver-
sary has led, and you play a card on which one
much higher is thrown by left-hand opponent,
and the next time the suit is led you play a lower
one, it may be, for third hand has shown his
strength.

The forced finesse upon partner is when you
make him take the trick, perhaps of his own
suit, that you may hold command ; and also
the instant following third play, — perhaps of
trumps if you have called them, or if the fall of
the cards has revealed your want of them,

'Y'h^finesse by specula lion is when, holding sure
tricks in other suits, and even it may be in the
suit played, you pass, that partner may take
risking the play of fourth-hand player ; and it is
when you lead to partner a suit expecting him
to take and return to you another of which he
holds the best that will be trumped by your right-
hand opponent and over-trumped by you, or else
will make, and partner will have another lead.

In one of his chapters upon the " Sublime
Game," Deschapelles says : " The difference
which exists between the beginning and the end

FmESS£. i2f

of a deal of whist is incalculable. It sets out in
ignorance and obscurity, guided by instinct and
chance, supported by invention and talent ; it
finishes in experience, guided by positive evi-
dence, and supported by the light of mathemati-
cal deduction, A deal at whist may therefore
be considered as a graduated scale of intelligence,
beginning with the inventive faculty and ending
with mathematical demonstration ; and we may
easily imagine that the intellectual powers are
not unemployed during its continuation. Every
single faculty of the mind, one by one, is suc-
cessively engaged in th^operation ; every class
of mental agency and every shade of intelligence
are in some degree called into action ; and the
continual change in the faculty employed pre-
vents too laborious exertion of intellect, keeps
up excitement to the end, and produces the high-
est degree of pleasure."

Finesse is sometimes carelessly mentioned as
if it were a risk taken only by third-hand player
against a card upon his left.

Instructions upon finesse can be addressed
only to experienced players, since it deals only
with the highest order of play. Finesse belongs
not alone to the third-hand player, but to the
second and fourth as well. It is because of the
overlooking of opportunity foe fine play that
many a hantl in whist degenerates into routine.
The significance of finesse is expressed when

228 AMERICAN WHJST.

two good players, as partners, manage peculiar
situations. The finesse proper and the finesse
speculative are nearer alike than are any other
two forms of this strategy. The severer orders
of finesse practised by the good players are :
First, the finesse obligatory. A. holds good
diamonds, trumps, and k., 9, 6, 3, of clubs, and
leads the 3. B. takes with qu. and returns the
8. A. knows it is B.'s best card, and that the
ace and kn. or 10, if D. plays a low one, are on
his left (if D. renounces, they are all %vith C),
but he must pass the 8, or not have a trick in
the suit, or the card of reentry. Second, the
returned finesse, on the lead of the left-hand ad-
versarj' that may continue to the peril of several
tricks, and, under some circumstances, on the
lead of either adversary, when it may be as-
sisted by underplay, A. passes D.'s 10 led,and
by and by leads, throiagh C.'s minor tenace, the
same suit, to be taken by B. ; and. whether C.
afterward lead.s back to D., or R leads through
D., the return, unless against certainty, gains
the trick and the lead. Third, the finesse on
the partner, to result in the command of a suit,
or in the attempt to make a trick, or in the es-
tablishment of a suit in which he has strength.
Fourth, the fines.se by trial. If D, leads 5, and
A. plays 6, and C. qu., when D, next leads 7,
A. plays g, retaining ace or k.

Your partner, having made a successful finesse

FINESSE. 229

in a suit of which he holds high cards, will not
return that suit ; thus : A. has led 8, C. has
played 6, B. takes with kn., and retains ace and
qu. Of course the k. is not with D., and if B.
has good trumps, he is to make two more tricks
in the plain suit.

Finesse is often deep to save a game, and
especially in trumps near the close of the hand.
If trumps are not played until late, the result of
their proper use in the hands of good players is
sometimes startling. An ordinary player, hur-
rying the play, will disconcert schemes which
he does not know how to plan or to second.

The following up of the advantage of the

finesse made by B. is incumbent upon A. If

B. takes a trick in trumps third hand with the

10, holding ace, kn., he should not lead the

trump in return, but a card of a suit for A. to

take, who shouid again lead trumps. Finesse is

also instrumental in gaining two tricks by the

relinquishment of one ; and it is made effective

when with several minor cards in play, and the

situation of one or two is doubtful, third player,

holding, it may be, qu., 10, 7, plays the 7 on the

lead of the 2.

^m The knowledge of a previous discard often-

^P times directs successful finesse. Second or

^H fourth hand, holding good trumps and good

^1 cards in a suit led, may make a large score if he

^1 understands the return finesse, while a player

23°

AMERfCAN WHIST.

bent only on taking each trick as it seems pos-
sible would make a loss.

There is no part of whist so unexplainable as
the varieties of finesse to the ordinary player,
who, carrying but the lesser considerations of
the hand in memory, will innocently interfere
with the action of a finished player, and never
understand in what manner superior skill would
have made the cards which he holds of great
service.

It is not essential that, after the finesse ob-
ligatory has drawn the largest card from fourth
hand, third hand should hasten the getting out
of trumps ; his partner will take in the situa-
tion, and is assisted in his count of the hand.

Finesse may be made by the lead or by any
other play, and at any stage of the hand. The
cards are conversational, and, by the wil! of ex-
perienced players, they are made to speak a
various language. There are occasions upon
which it is no more a matter of propriety that
the first card led should designate four or five
of the suit in hand, than that a man who would
hold common converse should first cry out in his
loudest key. Certain set leads are easily learned,
and mitst be learned and appropriated by all
ordinary and at times by all good players, but
these are made upon proviso. If certain named
cards are held, they may be thrown, according
to written regulation. But when combinations

FWESSE. 23 1

that cannot be anticipated are held, and the re-
sult is to be considered, the rule of lead or
follow is of the brain of the player. And the
interpretation of it is of the brain of the partner,
J. C. has said that the worst fault of which he
knew in a whist - player was the playing for
his own hand alone. But he said iAat a dozen
years ago, and with all the sad detail of a freshly
concocted code of curiosities, called laws, star-
ing him in the face. Certain signs and significa-
tions must be given, and given early, in the new
short game that was to be ni/ed into life. Of
a much braver nature was he who, having in-
vented the call, regretted such manifestation of
his ingenuity, since its practice gave less scope
to his own powers of calculation.

The lead may be a finesse at a nice point of

the game. A. has 9, 7, 5, 4, spades ; the 8, 6,

and 3 are in play, their location indefinite, save

that B. has led 10, and qu., k., and ace had

fallen. The kn. had been thrown away, perhaps

the beginning of a call by C, as he afterward

led trumps, but probably his only spade, and

the 2 had been played by D. on trumps led. It

is known that C. and D. have all the best clubs,

H and that B. has low clubs. Diamonds, trumps,

^fe are exhausted. It is A.'s lead, and he wants all

^M the tricks. He places the 8 and another spade in

^1 his partner's hand. There is no alternative ; he

^1 must lead the 7. If C. renounces, and B., hold-

232

AMERICAN WHJST.

ing 8 and 3, or 8 and 6, makes the error of throw-
ing the lowest on A.'s 9, should he lead that card,
A. and B. can have but one more trick. A. must
insure the lead, whether B. plays the 3 or 6, or if
he takes with the 8, and returns the 3 or 6. The
finesse is against the possible 8 in D.'s hand.

The fine play allowable in finesse by the lati-
tude of American Whist is all unknown to the
player of a diminutive game, who must quickly
count tricks and stand in fear of "honours."
Still, it is evident that the advantage to be de-
rived by ingenious plans is understood by sci-
entific players only. Constantly the occasions
offer for the exercise of calculation, and as
constantly would the well-arranged schemes be
frustrated by an unlearned partner. That is
why American whist must be studied to the
gaining of information beyond what any other
game can demand. To a fine player of finesse,
the language of the cards thrown by his equally
good partner is in disguise to an adversary, but
capable of interpretation by himself, thus : —

A. B. 6. C. D. 3. K. c. turned by D. C.
holds ace, qu., 10, 8, 4, h., ace and three small
clubs, ace, k., s,, and two small diamonds. A,
leads 2 of hearts. C. infers that A. has three
trumps, even suits, k. or kn. h., and two others,
and sees that if D. can make one trick beside
the k. c. he may win the game. C. plays 8 of
hearts, reserving double tenace, A quick whist

/■INESSE. 233

would play qu., but if the k. and another are 1
with B., and kn. and two others with A., both k. |
and kn. will make. C. knows that k., kn., and
9 are not in A.'s hand, and that A. led from
four. If B. takes the 8, and returns the suit,
C, must have command. B. takes with k., and ]
plays a spade. C. takes with k., and leads low I
club. D. takes with qu., and, holding k. and ]

4, instead of retumhig trump, remtimbering the ]
fall of the cards, sees C.'s probable finesse for J
the game, and leads 9 of hearts. C. takes with I
10, finessing against possible kn. in B.'s hand, I
leads another club, and C. and D. win ten tricks ]
and the game.

Third and fourth hand finesse is sometimes ]
by one player, in a single hand, finely played. '
Score, 6 to 6. C. turns ace of clubs. A. holds 1
ace, qu., 9, 7, 6, 2, hearts, k., qu., 5, 3, clubs,

5, 7, 5, diamonds. B. leads kn. h. This orig-
inal lead must be from short sequence. D. plays
5, A. throws 6, and C. takes with k. C, with
major tenace in spades, and suspecting call of
D., leads 4 c., holding ace, 10, and 8 ; B. 2, D.
9, and A. 3. D. returns the 7, on which C. ]
throws ace and returns S ; A. takes with qu., ]
draws the last trump, and makes five tricks in |
hearts, the odd trick, and game.

We have said that the general player, holding \
ace, queen, always finesses queen third hanc^
and seldom or never finesses anything else. The ]

9 or 8, I

234 AMERICAS' WHIST.

ace, knave ; the king, 10; the queen, g <
etc., are tenaces that may be used for finesse
when the partner leads a small card of the suit.
The new finesse — if a recently established play
may be so termed of the 10 when king and others
are held — has met approval ; and it is excellent
play, particularly if third-hand player is strong
in trumps. It is the practice of ordinarj' players
to avoid finesse upon the partner's play. Hold-
ing, for instance, king, 10, 9, and another, they
would unhesitatingly throw king, no matter what
small cards formed the lead and follow, never
thinking that the lead may be from ace or queen
or knave, and that second hand may hold any
one of those cards, and also that ace may be
drawn by the play of the 9, and that ace on the
left must take then or afterward. When should
third hand finesse if not upon partner's lead?
Beside, one of the great benefits that come from
a lost finesse is the throwing of the lead.

Every player will approve the ingenuity of
Deschapelles, Clay, and Cavendish in their ad-
vance management for gaining tricks when the
hand is half-way played, and when the ordi-
nary player cannot understand their intent.
What shall we say of him who, on taking up his
hand, plans and plays his game from his first
lead with a precaution and finesse that sets all
common rut-rule at defiance ? And if the rou-
tine player is to have credit at the beginning of

FINESSE. 235

a hand for invariably leading in a specified man-
ner, right or wrong resulting, is he who, by
shrewd tactics, draws all the three players to the
assistance of his plan, to receive no applause ?

Ill this connection we give an instance of
play. It is a new game, there is no score. B.
has turned 9 of hearts, and D. has played 4 of
clubs. A. holds k., 10, 7, 6, 3, 2, clubs, kn., 8,
6, 5, 4, 2, hearts, and ace spades. Now the book
play is to begin the call for trumps. Short
whist would tolerate no other play. But A, is
a fine player, and proposes to be master of the
situation. He believes D. has not led from a
four-suit major tenace. He also knows that D.
has four clubs and not five, for D. has led the
lowest. A. does not want trumps led to him
from a low or a short suit. If the high trumps are
against him, they must make ; but with his hand
and a club lead -from the right, he marks out his
course. Between C. and B. there can be but
three clubs. The 9 may be B.'s only trump, and
it must not be called. It is not necessary that
his partner should at present know how many
trumps he holds. He is sure of his own game,
as he believes, and his partner may play as he
pleases. He threw the 2 of cUibs, C. kn., B. ace.
The queen then is with C. or D. B, played ace
of diamonds. Then he had not the small club,
,or he would have returned it through the strong
Juit. A.'s play now is, that qu. of clubs, if there.

236 JUtESICAX WHIST.

ddfl fall OD lits left. He threw ace of spades
upon the diaipond. An ordinaij player w-ould
have thnnm a low clab. B., if holding but two
trumps, win pby a spade to what he suii^sef
A.'s commanding suit : but knowing that A.
must be strong also in dubs or hearts, for D.
cannot have both k. and qa of clubs, he secures
one round of tnimps. Xoting that the 4 nor 2
Calls, he knows A. must have one of them, and
so four trumps. He continues with the ac^ and
qu, and 10 fall, but not the 4 nor 2, A.,
then, has all the trumps. B. plays the low dia-
mond, A. trumps, leads low club, qu. falls, B.
trumps with 9, and all the rest of the tricks are
A.'s, the thirteen made in one hand. This is
whist which Mr. Pole's "theory" cannot antici-
pate. It may be said that the plodding game of
calling for trumps would have contributed to a
similar result. That might have been as the
cards happened to be held, but it would have
exhibited no such fine play. The way to play
the hand was the way in which A. played it. It
is deep play, however, and such players as A
could show our English cousins much of this
kind of work that would seem marvelous in
their eyes,

The hands are given, that the play may be
better understood. D. led from g, 8, 5, 4, clubs,
7, 5, 4, 3, spades, k., 8, 2, diamonds, and qu., 3,
hearts. A."s hand has been given, C. held k.,

FINESSE. 237

qu., kn., 9, spades, 10, 7, hearts. qii„ kn., 10, 5,

3, diamonds, qu., kn., dubs. B. held ace and
four small diamonds, ace, k., g, hearts, ace clubs,
and four small spades.

It may be inferred that all were good players
at this table. It would not do for B. to make
the mistake of playing the g of hearts after
taking with the ace, for D. would have made one
of his clubs, as he could understand that he had
better give away k. of diamonds than 5 of clubs.

The beauty of whLst -playing docs not consist in
making long suits, but in creating and conquer-
ing situations. The finest situation is when
your opponents play for your benefit, you having
■ planned the course that they must take.

We quote a single hand of successful finesse,
more especially to show how book-rule as to the
play of plain suits, and the lead of .trumps, was
set aside by an ingenious player : —

Score A. B. i, C. D. 6; 3 of hearts turned.
D. plays 5 of spades. A.'s hand is ace, qu., 9,

4, hearts, ace, k., kn., 8, 4, 3, spades, 7 and 2,
diamonds, 5 of clubs.

The book-play is the k., and the next lead, the
4 of hearts. A. has six points to make. He
infers that D., having four spades, leads with qu.
or 10 at the head. He plays kn. second, and
not k., C. 9, E 2, A, now knows that D. bad
four, and that C. has the 10, or no more. He
must throw the lead into his partner's hand.

238 AMEfircA.f WHIST.

and, to assure him of his poverty in diamonds,
plays the 2, C. kn., B. ace, D. 3. B, sees A.'s
strength in spades, and why he did not lead
them. C. may be calling, but B. has no alterna-
tive; he must play a trump; the lead of the
small diamond is suggestive. He plays 10 of
hearts, D. 6. A. finesses the 10, playing 4, C.
2 ; B. 5 hearts, D, kn.. A, qu., C. 7 ; A. ace,
C. 8, B. 3, D. k. A. must now throw the lead
again into his partner's hand, as his only chance
of making six by cards. He must play the
club, for his partner has not k. or qu. of dia-
monds, or he would not have played the ace.
A. 5 clubs ; C. holds ace, qu., but, being sure
of one trick in clubs and one in diamonds, plays
the qu., B. k., D. 3. B. leads 6 of spades, D.
7 ; A. finesses 8, C. renounces ; A. now makes
all the tricks but the ^ of diamonds, and A. B.
score six points and the game.

It may be said that C. should not have thrown
qu. second, but he did not fathom A.'s intent,
and hoped to make three tricks by his play ; and
that D. played erroneously in throwing 7 second ;
he should have played 10, forcing k. But the
hand is a study, and as a specimen of play in
finesse is remarkable. After the play, A. stated
that when he saw the 5 of spades fall as the lead,
his game must be one of faith in finesse. Play
of this order, which could be attained by many
who now play, as they think, very well, ought to

FINESSE. 239

be understood by them, and they should find
partners to follow it as it progresses. So coolly
and easily was this hand managed by A., that a
looker-on over D.'s hand, who plays whist, said
that he thought all the time, after A,'s knave
took the first trick, A, held ace only beside, and
B. all the spades. Such play as this is not pro-
vided for in Dr. Pole's "theory," and a short-
whist player would, after playing k. second, have
been curious to ascertain only if his partner had
an "honour." He would have been put in pos-
session of that valuable information at the cost
of the game. A.'s hand has been given. C,
held ace, qu., 7, 3 c, 8, 7, 2, h., 9 s., qu., kn., g,
4, 3, d. B. held k. and four small clubs, 10, 5, 3,
h., 6, 2 s., ace, 8, 6, d. D. held kn. and two

k small dubs, k., kn., 6, h., qu., 10, 7, 5 s., k., 10,
This, then, is genuine whist. K.nov! your oivn
" hand and make your calculations upon it. The
score, the trump, the rank of the trump, the
probabilities, the possibilities of play, must be
taken into account. Have a purpose in view
and play to compass it. If defeated in your
plan, change your tactics if you are allowed op-
portunity to do so. Let no stereotyped notions
contest your ingenious play. Let your cards
tell the truth, but send such ones as you please,
^_ to convey as much of it as you see fit to explain.
^KVour partner will no more expect you to inti-

240 AMERICAN WHIST.

mate too much to him than he would ask you
to call his attention to your desire for trumps
by the more emphatic play of 8 first, and then
2, when you held the 3. If it is your play to in-
form at once of a certain suit, do so certainly;
but, if you think that you see a better play,
make it, as readily as you would throw the lead
later in the game. Despite all book-rule, play
whist as your judgment directs. If you are a
good player, that judgment must take prece-
dence of limited instruction. Know the laws
and never break them. Know the rules and
when to break them with impunity. Brilliant
play is better than routine play. Play your own
hand, and in the playing it play not only your
partner's but the hands of the opponents. The
strife at whist is oftentimes a friendly one with
the whole table. If you have five trumps or
more, think what is to be done with them that
not one shall fail of ser\-ice. Whist asks for
brain-work. Remennber how embracing is its
theory. Consider that each game is always new.
With every hand you enter upon an untried ex-
perience. By no mere knowledge or employ-
ment of partial rule can you .solve or nullify the
varied problems of this philosophy of recreative
life.

TRUMPS.

Trumps, the artillery of the hand, are not re-
quired, as a general rule, to do service as often
or as regularly in the early part of an engage-
ment by American as by English whist. They
act as our reserve in many instances. By the
foreign regulation, a player holding five leads a
trump at the first opportunity, or calls for one
to be led by his partner. Holding six, he leads
trump without allowing any consideration but
the performance of that duty to possess him.
Having drawn the trumps from his opponents'
and partner's hands, if he or his partner have
good cards to make they can be made ; if they
have not, the making of the adversaries' good
cards may, in part, at least, be prevented. In
the first place, save that it decides a short game
earlier, bringing out the "honours," and making
useless further strife, the play of trumps at the
outset, from five or more, does not, in a major-
ity of cases, win more tricks for the player than
will their proper husbandry and use. If you
wil! play twenty or fifty hands in duplicate, you
may ascertain this fact. In the second place,
unless there is reason for such action, it is very
cheap whist that only takes advantage of such

242 AMERICAN WHIST.

manner of fortune, and always in the same set
way. In the third place, the making of a long
suit is not the only important consideration in
the tactics of a first-class player.

It does not seem like a generous employment
of power. If the gain that is made by this dog-
in-lhe-raanger pohcy can be assured in no other
way, it is justifiable ; but as trumps must take
iricks, unless themselves taken by larger trumps,
it is considered politic in our game to ascertain
for what purpose we are to expend them before
putting them to use. Merely to take away all
the opponents' trumps, if it can be done, and
then to throw a card at risk of partner's hold-
ing the best ; or to draw the trumps, and after
make some high cards on a long suit, — is legiti-
mate, and probably very satisfactory to those
who are always striving to bring about such a
result.

It is the plan of the English player at once
to draw the trumps in order to make a long
suit. It may be said to be his only plan. Sup-
posing that this was the best part of whist, and
worthy of all acceptation, which is not true, did
it ever occur to you that the attempts to bring in
long suits were generally foiled by able players ?
If you will think a moment, you will remember
that each player always has a long suit, and you
must be aware that each player cannot make it ;
in fact, that only one of four can be made, and

TRUMPS. 243

tkat not one sometimes is rendered available.
While you are endeavoring to arrange for the
trumps to fall to please you, the adversaries are
quite equally determined to hinder such result ;
and if so be that the power is in their hands,
you may have lost all chance for making good
use of the trumps that you hold. A thirteenth
card is sometimes made, but not very often, and
the longest suit held at the table, as a general
rule, is thrown away by piecemeal, very reluc-
tantly, but very uniformly.

The struggle made from the beginning of the
play of the hand to bring in the long suit full
oftentimes results in the overthrow of the plan
itself, and the success of a similar suit in the
hand of the opponent.

It requires two long suits to make one suc-
cessful, and it is not true that one can alway.s be
established by the aid of the other ; consequently
there are other matters to be considered of as
much account in playing whist as the bringing
in of long suits. The peculiar long-suit play
belongs more to short whist than to American
whist, as the brevity of the game needs swifter
information from partner to partner. We are
not unwilling to use more ingenuity than short
whist demands, to draw inferences from deeper
and better play and plans than such as can be
too quickly revealed, and to be rewarded by re-
sults that we have earned by management. If

244

AMERTCAf/ WHIST.

it is best instantly to say to our partner by play-
ing k. of diamonds that we have ace or qu., very
well ; but if we do not care to announce to him
that we have seven or eight trumps, that is
also well. When the hand is played, place the
cards, and, by the early-communication plan sig-
nifying that trumps are to be drawn, make one
more trick than we have made, and you shall
have credit for better play than ours. If men
play whist for the rattling fun of the thing, A.
may lead a spade, then C. a heart, then B. a
club, then D, a diamond, each swiftly announ-
cing, " I have four or five of that suit ; " but if
they play it to elicit the beauty of the game of
combinations, they may at certain times make
necessity for partner and opponent to use their
sharpest wit for the unraveling of their piu--
poses.

The five-trump lead, no matter what comes of
it, is properly mechanical, and suits an ordinary
hazard game that hopes for " honours " and for
luck to hasten it. We think that Cavendish
is right in recommending the absolutism of
trump play, for his is a short game, and he has
the stakes to consider for himself and partner.
Advantage gained in any way is the rule in such
a game. In American whist it is not our pur-
pose to wreck another hand, whether or not we
are to be gainers by such course, but rather by
management, whose influence extends to all the

TRUMPS. 245

hands, to induce the play of others to inure to
our benefit.

To play from the long suit, or to endeavor to
make a long suit if you have an available one,
or to make for your partner commanding cards
which you have ascertained that he holds, is
certainly correct ; but merely to draw the trumps
of the adversaries, and of course those of your
partner, or always to attempt to draw them
when you have numerical strength, is not good
whist.

K encc

UNDERPLAY.

Properly manipulated, undeqjlay can be made
serviceable. But probable success demands keen
management. You hold ace, kn., lo, and a small
card of a suit led by right-hand opponent. On
his 5 you play the lo, and it takes the trick.
Now, if you are strong in trumps, you may play
the small card. You must consider first that
your adversary led from four at least. You had
four, and there can be but five in the other two
hands. But C. has not k. or qu. D. cannot
have them both, and you are justified in under-
play. If your partner has k (for C. will not
trump his partner's original lead, if he has no
more of the suit), you by the aid of your trumps
are to make all the tricks in your adversary's
suit. If it should be that you lose your partner's
qu. to the k., the other tricks in the suit are
yours. This is underplay from second hand. If
the lead is made by C, and D. can play no higher
than the 9, your lead of the small card is almost
sure to be successful, for C. will not play k. sec-
ond, if he has it ; it is his only high card, and he
will play an 8 rather, and trust that ace will fall
in that round. The closest figuring with refer-
ence to position will be requisite for the prac-

UNDER PLA y. 247

tice of underplay. Every gain in it is by a
coup, and not by common play. It is well some-
times to delay the lead of the suit until you have
played a winning card. Theii the small card
makes for you a proper lead. J. C. gives an ex-
ample that may be called an underplay finesse :
" You hold the k., with two or more small cards,
and are fourth to play. C. has led a small card ;
D. has taken with ace, and returns the lead. You
play a small card, and trust to your partner to
take the trick. This he is very likely to do, un-
less original leader hold both qu. and kn., for,
believing the k. to be behind him, he may finesse
a 10 or 9 rather than play his qu. to what ap-
pears certain destruction."

THE ELEVENTH,

So called because it is the best of three re-
maining of the suit, is sometimes a power, if
you know that the other two are divided be-
tween the opponents. You give your partner
opportunity for discard, and so learn what to
lead him, or what to play to throw the lead. If
the two are with left-hand opponent, you may
force a trump from the right, who must lead to
your partner's tenace. If the two are on the
right, you compel a trump from the left, and
your partner may discard or over-trump, as suits
his hand. In case he discards, you have the
last play on the next lead ; and if, instead, he
takes the trick, he does so for the advantage of
the lead.

THE TWELFTH.

This is not necessarily the best of two re-
maining of a suit. Whien it is the best, and you
know D, has the smaller, the twelfth will of
course win, unless trumped by C, But you run
a risk in playing this card of a discard from C,
that may very much influence your next lead.
For this reason much care must be taken in the
management of the twelfth. Drayson gives a
fitting example. You hold ace, qu., and two
small spades, and the twelfth heart. C. has two
small spades, ace, k., and 2 of clubs ; B. has
three spades, qu., and small club ; D., four
spades and thirteenth heart. Clubs trumps. B.
leads small spade, you win with qu. You lead
twelfth heart. C. throws spade. You then
play ace spades, which C. wins with small club,
and makes k. and ace ; three tricks to your two.
Now, playing carefully, you reverse this, win-
ning three to C.'s two. Play ace of spades,
then twelfth heart, and it or your partner's qu.
must make. Winning cards should be played
before the twelfth card, if there is possibility of
discard to your detriment. When the twelfth
is the lower of the two, and the thirteenth to
your left, the object of playing it is to throw the

250 AJiERICAX WHIST.

lead, or nuke yotir partner play a high trump.
He has kept ihe run of the cards, and will know
if you have a tenace. Holding the twelfth,
while B. has thirteenth, is, of course, an argu-
ment for having all trumps out before play-
ing iL

THE THIRTEENTH.

The marked intention of the play of the thir-
teenth is to draw from your partner his best
trump. He will know if this is your purpose, if
there are several high trumps in, and will see
that you do not want your best trump to fall
with his. The thirteenth is played also to throw
the lead for benefit of leader or partner. The
partner must judge of the intent, and, having
seen what was played of his partner's best
suit, may, if C. trumps, discard and make A.'s
tenace ; or, having one o£ his own, if C. does not
trump, let D. take and lead. The thirteenth is
not the best card to play, if trumps are against
you, for you give the adversaries their lead.
Nor is it best, if you have suit of which your
partner holds best card, unless you know that
suit must be led him by adversary. The twelfth
and thirteenth cards, therefore, are important
to play or withhold, according to circumstances,
and good players endeavor to make them of

SIGNALING.

The term is usually applied to a deliberate "
call for trumps made by the play of an unneces-
sarily high card followed by a lower one of the
same suit, and styled "the trurap-signal." "You
did not see my signal," is the common com-
plaint of an amateur to his partner. If he prized
the game, and what had best be done with the
cards he holds, perhaps he would not have made
a signal. But calling for trumps is at once the
plainest and cheapest of signals in which whist
abounds. Whist is a game of signals ; and the
main secret is that the novice, in his anxiety
about the trump-signal for which he watches
so closely, or which he may be so anxious to
give, fails to see by the fall of the cards the
many real signals that to a good player are of
much greater worth. The trump-signal is much
used, however, by players of English and Paris-
ian whist. Very many players of the Ameri-
can game seldom use it. A fine player in
Hartford says : " I will manage to play trumps
when I want them played. More harm comes
from posting your adversary by a trump-signal
than good results from getting them led, i
when you succeed in doing so." There can 1;

SIGKALH7G. 2S3

no doubt that the trump-signal is too much
used. When an honour over which a tetiace is
held is turned on the right, a signal to call a
trump through such opponent may be of much
avail ; and when a player holds all the high
cards in his adversary's suit, or when he or his
partner has an established suit that may be
trumped, there is good reason for the call.

The best signal for trumps is made by discard
of an 8, or of a higher card of another plain suit
than that led. Unless the card so thrown be
traceable because of previous play, as one to be
parted with for another definite purpose, its dis-
card can be for no other reason than to ask for
a trump lead.

On the call for or play of trumps by partner,
having none, the discard signal is from the weak
suit ; by the opponent, from the strong suit.

The holding of tierce or quart to ace is sig-
naled by throwing away ace.

One of the best of the signals is that of
American invention, trumps having been played.
The echo is another.

The discard of the second-best card of a suit,
showing no more, is another.

Second hand passing a doubtful card signifies
more than three trumps, or three that had best
not be broken, and either second or fourth hand
refusing to trump a sure trick makes a positive
signal for trumps.

254 AMERICAN fVmST.

The plain-suit echo is not a signal, but a delib-
erate order of play.

The well-known practice of trump-signaling
is not as much respected as it formerly was.
Many players have two good reasons to give
why they do not use it : first, they can manage
to get in and lead trumps if they want them
played ; second, they want to play higher cards
second hand than they would dare to do were
a signal by such play suspected. Some very
good players have yet another reason. They
intend to give out by their play, not to be un-
derstood by the opponents, if they care to have
trumps led, — for instance, through a k. or qu,
turned on the right ; and a good partner can so
understand good play. It is not at all because
the play is a signal that it meets objection ; nor
because it is, or may be, too plain to opponents
who are watching for it ; hut because the mak-
ing it may hinder better play. All card-playing
at whist is signaling. The king played signals
queen or ace; the knave played heralds the
royal family ; the ace led signals the highest of
five ; the deuce led signals the lowest of four.
The cards do all the talking, and they talk in-
cessantly. The business of the players is to
watch their signals ; he is a shrewd observer
who can sec them all.

Perhaps the most amusing of the arguments
against system is that of the player who says he

SIGNALFNG. 255

"does not like conventionalities nor signals."
His play is fuU of both, and it is impossible for
him to play whist and not use both. He may
not use those that are set down in system, and
which are so much better than any that he can
devise, but he must have some sort of method,
and that is his usage or conventionality; and he
must let his partner know that he at times holds
certain cards, and that is indication or signaling.
He may play his own hand and for that alone,
and yet he will be the most anxious of men to
show of what that hand consists, and in his own
way to notify other players what he wants or
what he does not want.

To what he chooses to call iron-clad regula-
tions he will not yield. To system in play he
objects. Anarchists object to it in government.
Fortunately, the system of to-day in American
whist superseding all others renders the govern-
ment of the game most popular with conserva-
tive and intelligent men because of its direct-
ness, scope, and simplicity. It does away with
the doubtful lead or follow, and governs the
action for all the cards, so that no chance re-
mains for equivocation. It is plain to be under-
stood by every one who desires to act in accord
with it. Perhaps there are revisions in the fu-
ture, but the one wish of whist-players, that the
situation of minor cards should be explained so
that provision could be n:iade for their action

256 AMERICAN WHIST.

when brought into play, is gratified, for American
Leads and the New Play accommodate the desire.
It matters less than ever before how much the
adversary may learn by the lead made. The es-
sential purpose is to give information to the
partner. What the cards say is the literature of
whist, and the index to the literature of whist is
a system of signals.

GETTING IN A LITTLE TRUMP.

Perhaps one of the most common of plans,
and certes the most ordinary of plays, is that of
laboring to "get in a little trump" by a hand
poor in them, but rich in the possession of a
plain-suit singleton. Avoiding the anathema
that would be evoked by first leading the one
card of a suit, the player shows his partner that
he has several cards of another, and follows at
once with the singleton lead. His cards so
played declare, " My first lead was from my long
suit, the second from my short one, which latter
lead I have made purposely so that I may get in
a little trump before the opponents draw it from
me." If his plan succeeds, the card that he de-
sires to trump being led from any quarter, his
small trump takes a trick, the result of which
accomplishment he of course considers as a
gain, and he is happy.

It is quite true that the business of the player
is to take tricks ; but it is also true that the
management of the cards for the purpose of tak-
ing them is very different in the hands of differ-
ent players, and it is equally true that this mode
of play belongs to the lowest order. In the
matter of decision as to whether or not a trick

258 AMERICAN WMIST.

is gained, the circugjstances are to be consid-
ered. It may be that the player, if indeed he
has not done injury to his own hand, may have
wrecked that of his partner. The suit of which
he held the singleton may be that of his adver-
sary, but his partner may be strong in it. If he
has but a trump and another singleton, he must
have two long suits. How much better to have
opened one of these ! After his singleton is
played and his trump has gone, he has told the
adversaries of his poverty in those two suits,
and that he has quantity not quality in the other
two. He has made his instant seizure of a
trick, but may not the act be an expensive ex-
periment ? He argues that his opponents would
have played trumps, taken his away, and that
now he has saved it. They might have done so,
but in the effort they might have lost a trick to
his partner, which because of this explanatory
play they manage now to gain. Moreover, his
left-hand adversary can now play up to his hand.
Both adversaries know where the low cards of
the long suits are, and caii force his partner, or
with high cards take the tricks. He thinks
that they could have done so if he had not made
his trump ; and so they might have done, but
they could not have counted the hands as now
they can. Paying no attention to the interest
of his partner, he has demoralized the game of
both. It is more than probable that if his cards

GBTTINC m A LITTLE TRUMP. 259

had been properly played from the first, a trick
would have been made in the plain suits that
must now be lost because of advantage taken of
the condition the false play has imposed. The
fact that he held but one card each of the trump
and of the plain suit suggests that his partner
may be strong in one of these, perhaps in both.
Perhaps his partner wanted to have trumps
played to him. He cannot know and does not
care ; he has succeeded in " getting in his little
trump ! "

As an example of this style of play and its re-
sult, — a small spade turned on his right, A.
taking up ace, k., and three small clubs, the kn.
of diamonds and g of spades and six small hearts,
threw the k. of clubs that took the trick and
showed his long suit ; next the kn. of diamonds
to show the weak one. His partner, who held
ace and qu. and two small diamonds, passed the
kn., which was taken by the k. D., who had
10 and 9 and 7 of diamonds, and who desired
queen to be thrown by his partner if C. had it
to be out of his (D.'s) way, led a diamond back.
A. did not know if this was or was not under-
play ; at any rate, he played the suit to trump it,
as his partner (B.) could get in his ace if he had
it later; and as he (A.) wished to "get in his
little trump," he played the 9 of spades and
took the trick. He then played ace of clubs
and read his partner's call. The ace took, but

26o AMERICAN WHIST.

he had no more trumps. Having, hy his crazy
notion of getting in a httle trump, spoiled his
own hand and ruined his partner's chances, he
led a heart. If he had played his k. of dubs
and foLowed with the ace, he could have made
answer to his partner's call. The 9 of spades
led by him, passed by his partner, would have
drawn the ace. D., who held k., 10, 9, and 7 of
diamonds, would have led the 7 ; A.'s kn. would
have taken the trick, leaving the tenace in his
partner's hand. But the delighted A., who had
got in his little trump, now played a heart to
C.'s best suit, who led a club for D. to niiBF, and
make the wreck complete.

This is an illustrative lead of a singleton sec-
ond play in order to get in a little trump. They
who fancy that sort of play may run out the
game at their leisure. It is the worst-mannered
imitation whist that is played.

THE ECHO.

More is implied by this term than the mere
answer to a call for trumps. It is quite as likely
to be a reply to what was unintentionally an-
nounced. It can be a sign that is made at the
same time that it is a response to something
inferred or shown. "You saw my signal," says
the trump-caller. "Yes, and you saw my echo,"
says his partner. This is its commonest inter-
pretation. But after a hand has been well
played, A. says : "I thought that we might lose
the odd trick, I could not trace the lO until I ."iaw
your echo on D.'s lead ; then I felt sure that if
he led the suit again, your lo and my thirteenth
■trump would give it to us."

It is important that the echo should be made
at the earliest practicable moment. The read-
iest means for making it must be accorded. A..
calling for trumps must be at once told by B. at
any sacrifice of .suit that he, B., has four. If
the trumps are out, and either A. or C. or D.
I :ad a suit which, having run to the exhaustion
of the master cards, becomes a strength in B.'s
hands, B. must announce his coming usefulness
by beginning the echo. If A. leads from a long
suit which is also B.'s b'jst, or if he is strong in

262 AMERICAN WHIST.

it, he must tell by the retention of his smaller
card or cards that he echoes strength.

The echo in plain suits that indicates four
trumps is easy to make. The echo in trumps is
usually easy, although the fact that partner may
hold three high trumps and one very low one
may hinder the sacrifice {if it really seems to be
such) of one of those high cards. Bui the plain-
suit echo which distinguishes whether C. does
or does not follow suit to the ace originally led
by A., but does not care, when A. leads qu. or
kn. or 10 or g, whether C. follows or trumps, is
more difficult of management. If a king or
any card lower than the g is originally led, if B.
does not attempt to win the first trick he plays
his lowest card, whatever number of cards he
holds in the suit. But when ace is led, if C.
follows suit, B. holding four cards exactly of
that suit retains bis lowest card, — playing of
course the second best if he wishes to call for
trumps, or the third best if he does not.

If the first card thrown by A., the leader, is a
qu., kn., 10, or g, B., holding four cards of that
suit, and unable or unwilling to take the trick,
retains his lowest card. If the suit is continued
by A. or C. or D., and B. cannot take the trick, he
plays his middle card. If played again, whether
B. has or has not taken the second trick, he
plays his highest or lowest card of the suit, ac-
cording to the fall of the cards ; but if he plays

THE ECHO. 263

his lowest he has not called for trumps. If B,
is required to return the lead to his partner, he
plays his highest card, no matter if he holds
two more or three more of the suit. B., having
retained the lowest card upon the first play of
his partner, may upon some after-play discard
from the suit originally led ; if he does so he
throws, not the lowest card, but the middle card.
The fall of the small card does not indicate a
call for trumps, because it must be understood
that when playing this echo B. is playing, not
for his own suit, although he holds four cards
in it, but for his partner's suit, because his
partner originally held five cards in it. The fall
of the cards will determine whether A. did or
did not hold five or more cards of the suit thai
he began with, — either qu., kn., 10, or 9, —
while at any rate he upon his original lead of
ace did have four more,

The echo properly played and properly watched
by the partner holding the suit in which it is
made of account, may prevent the opportunity
being given to the opponents to trump, may in-
duce the lead of trumps for the safety of the
suit, or may convey surest information that a
force may be effective against a strong trump-
hand. The echo is a reply to a player who
doubtingly inquires. By the card that he throws
he says, " In this suit do you think you can give
help ? " And echo answers, " Can give help.

TECHNICAL TERMS IN AMERICAN
WHIST.

LOVE, SLAM, J

/ Leads. See p. 105.
Bring in. To make the cards composing a suit

after trumps are out.
Call. See Signal.
Command. The winning cards over all that are

in play.
Conventional. A term applied to an established

usage, as the "conventional" play of ace,

qu., holding kn. and one small.
Coup. A French word anglicized, which means

a stroke that gains advantage; a brilliant

play.
Coup de Sacrifice. The giving a master card,

sure to take a trick, to the opponent.
Court Cards. Ace, k., qu.. and Itn.
Deschapelles Coup. The play of the k. at the

head of many to force the ace in order that

partner may afterward make qu.

TECHNICAL TEKMS IN AMERICAN WHIST. 265

Discard. The card of another suit than that
led, thrown away.

Echo. The play purposely of a card that does
not take, followed by the play of a lower
card of the same suit, partner having
called.

Eleventh. The master card of three in play, ten
having been played.

Establish. So to play that you gain command
of a suit.

False Card. One played contrary to conven-
tional or accepted rule.

Finesse. The play of a card lower than one that
you hold not in sequence with it, or the
passing a card played by your partner when
you hold a higher card. Finesse can also
be made upon the card that is thrown by
the oppontnt. DeschapeUes has six classi-
fications (x'ide p. 222) : —
The finesse proper.
The returned finesse.
The finesse by trial.
The forced finesse.
The finesse by speculation.
The finesse on the partner.
Clay says the varieties of the finesse are
infinite, but treats especially of the Finesse
Speculative, which means the play of a third
card holding first, but not second best ; and
the Finesse Obligatory, which is the playing

266

AMERICAN WHIST.

of a card not your best that threatens to
bring down one much higher from the op-
ponent, you taking the risk of his holding a
lower card, high enough, however, to take
the card you play.

Follow. The play of second, third, or fourth
player.

Force. A winning card played to exact a trump
from the adversary, or a losing card to be
trumped by your partner,

Foiirchette. A fork, /. *■., the card higher and the
card lower.

Fourth Hand. The last player upon a trick.

Gawc. Seven or more points made by tricks.

Grand Coup. The throwing away of a super-
fluous trump, or the taking by trumping
of the partner's trick, that the lead may be
thrown back to him ; or the under-trumping
a trick, whether trumped by your partner
or opponent, for the purpose of throwing
the lead.

Guarded. A high card is guarded when smaller
cards of the same suit are with it to be
played upon higher cards than itself.

Hand. The thirteen cards received from the
dealer.

High Cards. The ace to the 9 inclusive.

Honours. Ace, k., qu., kn. of the trump suit

Lead. The fint card played of any round.

Leader, The first player in any round.

TECHNICAL TERMS IN AMERICAN WHIST. 267

Leading through. Playing a card of a suit in
which the left-hand adversary is strong.

Leading up to. Playing a card of a suit in which
a high card is held by the right-hand adver-
sary.

Long Cards. Those remaining in a hand when
all the rest of a suit have been played.

Long Suit. See Suit.

Long Trump. The thirteenth, twelve having
been played.

Low Cards. The 7 to the deuce inclusive.

Make. To take a trick is to make it.

Master Card. The highest card and sometimes
the second best not played.

Middle Card. The 8.

New Play. Seep, 125.

Opening. The first lead in each hand of each
player.

Pass. You are said to pass when you, third
hand, holding a higher one, throw a smaller
card of the suit than some one that has
been played. It is, too, another word for
finesse upon your partner.

Plain Suits, See Suit.

Points. The number of tricks over six. Points
are kept independent of games and rubbers.
All points that are nnade by each side are
counted.

Rcnitry. A card of reentry is one that, win-
ning a trick not led by its holder, enables

268 AMERICAN WHIST.

him to bring in a suit, or throw a lead to ad-
vantage.

Renouncing. Playing a card of another suit
upon a suit led.

Revoke. The play of a card of another suit
while holding one of the suit led.

Round. Everj- four cards played in succession
after the turning of the trump card.

Rubber. The second consecutive game won by
two players, or the third game won by the
same players who won the first, the second
having been won by their opponents.

Saw. The play from partners to each other of
suits that are trumped third hand.

Score. The registry of points made upon the
game.

Second Hand. The elder hand, he who plays
immediately after the leader.

Scijuemc. Two cards or more that follow in
regular order. The ace, k., and qu. is a
tierce (sequence) to the ace ; and when the
k. and qu. have been played, ace, kn., and
lo form a sequence. Tierce is a sequence
of three cards, quart of four, quint of five,
sixieme of six, septieme of seven. A head
sequence is the consecutive three or more
of the largest cards of the suit in your
band ; an intermediate sequence is neither

TECflNICAL TERMS IN AMERICAN WHIST. 269

at the head nor foot of the suit, and a
subordinate sequence is one of smaller cards
than those that compose the head sequence.

Short Suit. See Suit.

Shuffle. Change of the relative position of the
cards.

Signal. The call ; the echo ; a request or reply
made by the play. The play of the ace or
of the highest card in play of any plain suit
upon a lead of any other suit signals no
more of that suit, or the entire command of
it. The play of the second - best card of a
suit in play, as a discard, signals no more of
that suit. The play of a card not as low as
could have been properly played, followed by
the play of one lower, is a signal or call for
trumps. An indication given by the cards
that a certain number of trumps are he!d, or
that certain cards help to form a suit, etc.
Whist is conversational, that is, the cards
speak, not the players ; and so the game is
full of signals.

Singleton. The one card only of a suit.

Spread. Distribution of the pack, backs upper-
most, that cards from any part of it may be
drawn.

Strengthening Play. Getting rid of high cards
to give value to lower ones, and so make
strong the partner's hand.

Suit. A series of cards whose modem names

270 AVhk/CAX WHIST.

are spades, hearts, clubs, and diantDods. A
trump suit is composed of the cards in each
hand that are of the series, one of which is
turned by the dealer. The other three are
plain suits. A long suit is one of four cards
or more ; a short suit, one of three cards or
less. A strong suit is one of high cards ; a
weak suit, one of low cards, or a short suit
of high cards.

Tenace. The best and third -best cards in play
of a suit is a major tenace ; the second and
fourth best, a minor tenace.

Third Hand. The partner of the leader.

Thirteenth. The card of any suit in hand after
twelve of that suit have been played.

Throwing the Lead. Playing a card that imposes
an obligation on the part of another player
to take the trick.

Tiick. The four cards played in a round, taken

Land turned.
Trump. One of the suit of the trump card.
Tntmp Card. That turned at the right hand of
the dealer.
Twelfth. One of the two cards in play of a suit,
eleven having been played.
Underplay. Playing a low card, retaining a high
one of same suit.
Winning Cards. The highest in play of the
suit.

INFERENCES.

The chances for drawing inferences belong
to every round played. The necessity for close
attention to the business of the game is enforced
by this consideration.

If the leader plays
ace of trumps,

Any trump but the
ace,

Ace, plain suit,

King,

Queen,

Knave,

the inference is, he has
the king and no more, and
good cards in other suits.

has five or more, and good
cards in plain suits.

has king only, or qu. and
kn., or kn., or lo, and
others, or four or more
low cards.

has ace or queen, or ace
and two others, or qu. and
two others.

has both ace and k., or k.
and three, or kn. lo, or kn.
and three others.

is the lowest of a quart se-
quence, with others, or has
k., qu., and two others, or
lO, 9, and others.

272
lO,

8, Ty 6, 5, 4, or 3,

AMERICA!^ WmST.

has k., kn., or sequence of
which 10 is lowest.

has k., kn., and others, but
not ace or qu.

has four or five cards in the
suit, of which this is the
original fourth best, and
represents the best suit
of the hand.

has not five trumps, has not
ace of the suit, nor ace and
k., nor k. and qu. of any
suit ; has not tierce to
knave; can have but four
cards of the suit

Second Hand,

Ace, excepting on
k.,qu.,orkn.

King on low trump,

King on plain suit.

Queen,

has no more, or has five
of the suit.

has but one more.

has ace, or no more.

has k., or ace and 10, or
no more.

Knave.

10,

has qu. and ace, or is
lowest of sequence, or has
qu. and one other, or no
more.

has kn. and one small
card, or no more.

^^^^■^ WFEMENCES. 273

^Kg^ is lowest of sequence, or

■

^m second to some higher

■ card, or no more.

^^1

Any other card, has none lower, or is be-

ginning to call.

Trumps a doubtful has not more than three

trick, trumps.

Does not trump a has four or more trumps,

doubtful trick,

Third Hand.

Ace, has not k. or qu.

King, has not qu.

Queen, may have ace or k., but
has not kn.

Any other card, on a is the highest he has

low card led, of the suit, unless it is

the lowest of a sequence,

or unless he cannot play

higher than a card on

the table.

Fourth Hand.

■

_ Wins the trick, has no card which would

■ take, lower than that he

^^H

■ plays.

r"'""' '""""""""

274 AMERICAN WHIST. ^^B

trick not already

one played, or desires

his partner's.

the lead to remain with

another player.

Any card played.

does not hold the card

next below it, unless

calling.

Second, Third,

or Fourth Player.

Refuses to trump

is strong in trumps, and

a trick certainly

wants them led to him.

against him,

Any discard made

is of the weakest suit

upon partner's

held.

play,

Any discard made

is of a strong suit.

upon opponent's

play.

Discards the best

has next best and entire

of any suit.

command.

Discards second best.

has no more.

Discards or plays.

demands trump lead.

when not trying to

take a trick, at

any time during

the hand, a card

of a suit, then one

lower; or throws

of another suit an 8

or any card higher.

^^^^_

INFERENCES,

Plays any card,

Wins with a high
card, and then
plays a lower one
with which he
might have taken
the trick,

275

has not the one next
lower.

has all the intermediate
cards.

HOW TO LEARN WHIST.

Under this and similar captions, the ambi-
tious amateur has in books and pamphlets been
assured of a quick and easy way to become a
whist-player. Even writers of note have en-
couraged hurried progress. Drayson, in 1879, in
his"Artof Practical Whist," said : "The correct
lead ought to be learned in one or two hours."
After ten years more of whist practice, Gen-
eral Drayson is now learning American leads.
Clay in his " Treatise " told his readers that he
" set to work to find whist out, and was sur-
prised at its simplicity." A few years later he
ascertained that intermediate sequences were ab-
struse. Cavendish is more guarded. He says,
" If to theoretical perfection you add the power
of accurate observation and oi acute perception, to-
gether with a thorough comprehension of the
whist capacities of partner and opponents, you
have all the elements ncccssaiy to form a master
of the science." But Deschapelles says : "A
man may play whist for several weeks. He will
then find it necessary for him to apply his knowl-
edge for three or four years before he discovers
what a difficult game it is."

The laws or the rules may be huddled into a

^r /^OW TO LEAR/f WHIST. 277

little tract, but it takes eighty pages of a volume
by Cavendish to inform third hand alone of the
variety of play upon his partner's lead. It is a
sorry whist that a man learns who will not
study. The iirst card that he throws from any
hand may be the right one according to his
little book, but what of all the rest ? And even
that play is mechanical, since he can know noth-
ing of the principle that makes it proper.

Whist is an abstract science which treats of
the action of fifty-two representatives of five
mental powers, — observance, memory, infer-
ence, calculation, and judgment. By practice only
with cards, it can no more be learned than geol-
ogy can be learned by handling minerals ; than
architecture can be learned by planing lumber
or driving nails. The learner of whist must be
a student, or he can never be an actor. Practice
is of no avail unless principle controls it. A game
at whist is so changeful in details that it is im-
possible for a man unversed in its principles to
govern the vagaries of the cards. The whist-
player is he who, on taking up his thirteen
cards, knows at once what upon principle had
best be done with them, — which one to play and
why he plays it ; whether it is better for the
future of the hand to retain the play, or give
it to his partner ; to keep the lead, or to throw

H^ it to an opponent ; to open a suit or to hold it ;

^ft tQ l^d from plain or trump suit and why ; to

278 AMERtCAN WHIST.

estimate the value of the trump card in ref-
erence to the hand he holds ; to calculate its
probable influence on the result of the play; to
note the mathematical rank of the several suits ;
to resolve upon the force that is to come ; to
decide upon its acceptance or denial ; to make
an issue or to avoid one ; and in a word, to see
the end from the beginning. The cards are in-
forraatory, and he reads them as they fall. The
smallest card of a plain suit led at the com-
mencement of a game says ; " This hand has
not five trumps, nor has it five cards of any suit.
It has not an ace and king, nor a king and queen,
nor a tierce to queen or knave." At another time,
the same card says: "There were five of this
suit, of which one has been played, and it is now
strong for ser\'ice." And again it says : "Play a
trump to this hand, for it will take the respon-
sibility of the game." And yet again: "There
were four trumps here when you called, and two
remain to help you." See how consideration
must serve the man who watches and listens to
the conversation of all the cards.

The way to leam whist is, first, to learn its
laws and rules and prmHples. Then play over
hands that are illustrated. Study each play of
lead and follow. Know the reason that in-
duced it. Ascertain if, in accordance with prin-
ciples, any other or better line of action could
have been taken. Do not be in haste to visit

HOW TO LEAKN WHIST. 279

the club table. Practise at home first, and have
constant reference to the text-book. Deal the
cards into four packets, and play each one as
well as possible in behalf of the hand to which
it belongs. Become familiar with the uses of
unblocking, overtrumping, and finesse, and also
know when in play to avoid as well as to employ
them. When you begin to practise with other
players, do so with the best whom you can
choose. Any of them will welcome a man of
your calibre and determination.

This book is a compilation of the opinions of
the best players of American whist. Study it
earnestly and frequently. You cannot know the
order of the game too well. Study the Hands
at the close of the volume, and all the reasons
for the various plays. Practise with good players
five or ten years, and then, although the com-
binations change with every hand, you will have
seen but little of the variety of whist. Mean-
time you will enjoy its delightful multiplicity
of expressions. American whist is recreative
work, enjoyable labor, paradoxical as that may
sound : its riddle is fascination ; its practice is
intelligent employment ; its play is mathemat-
ical induction ; its result is intellectual gain.

A HAND AT CARDS.

Ca\'esdi5h in his Card Essays gives us the
story of "The Duffer Maxims," and some anec-
dotical matter of an amusing nature about the
talkers. By way of appendix to sober instruc-
tion, we have thought to introduce the conver-
sation verbatim during a single hand of four
persons seated for the purpose of "plajing
whist," as each of them called the performance,
— literally, however, a rollicking exhibition that
should be named

PLAYING AT PLAYING WHIST.

The play is by the five-point game. The score
is a C. deals and turns the 9 of hearts.

"There," says C, " that 's the way you treat
■me. I never get an honour in the world, but
when / cut, somehow I always cut one for some-
body else."

B, takes up his hand, sorts it. It is composed
of ace and 2 of spades, kn., 6, and 3 of hearts,
qu,, kn,, 9, and 7 of diamonds, and 7, 6, 5, and
4 of clubs; and he begins the usual growl.

A HAND AT CARDS, 281

" I should like to know how anybody is going
to get anything out of this. 1 never can get a
hand." [That is to say, he does not hold ace, k.,
and qu. of three plain suits and the four honours
in trumps. Give him these cards every time,
and he would be pleased to play whist.] " I sup-
pose I must play something. There 's a dia-
mond ; that 's according to rule, anyhow," and
throws the 7,

"You don't strike me very heavily," says D.,
" but I can follow suit," and throws the 6, He
holds the k., 10, 8, 7, 6, of spades, the k. and 7
of hearts, the ace, k., qu., and 2 of clubs, and
the k, and 6 of diamonds.

" I can take that," says A., throwing the ace ;
"that is, unless it 's trumped," He holds the S,
4, and 3 of spades, the ace, qu., 10, 4, and 2 of
hearts, the ace, 10, 8, 3, and 2 of diamonds, and
no club. "Are you going to trump that, C. .'"

"No," says C, "I can't trump anything, nor
take anything either, I guess," and plays the 4.
He holds the qu., kn,, and g of spades, the 9, 8,
and s of hearts, the kn., 10, g, 8, and 3 of clubs,
and the 5 and 4 of diamonds.

"Now," says A., "let's try a little trump,"
and throws the 4 of hearts.

"Coming at us early, are you?" says C, and
he plays the 5.

" I "11 try to get that," says B., and throw?
the kn.

282 AMERICAN WHIST.

"No you don't," says D., and bangs the
upon the trick.

"Welt, I did n't expect it," says B. " It was
the best that I had. If we get out of this with-
out losing the whole thing, / shall be glad,"

"Now," says D., "there's a club for you,"
throwing the k.

A. determines, " I '11 let that travel," and
throws the 3 of spades ; C. 3 of clubs, B. 4. "I
did n't know but you might have the ace," said
A. to B. "He might have led from king and
queen."

"Yes, that's so," said B. ; "of course you
couldn't tell." [N. B. Trumping the trick
would have made no difference in result.]

" Well, I 'II have one of your trumps, anyway,"
says D., and throws the queen of clubs. A,
trumps unwillingly with the 2 of hearts ; C.
plays the 8 of clubs, and B. the 5.

" Now, we 'II see about this," says A., and plays
the 10 of hearts. He remembers that the k. and
kn, have fallen, and thinks he knows whist pretty
well to lead the 10 now instead of the ace. C.
plays 8, B. 3, D. 7. "You have another," says
A. to C, for he remembered the 9 was turned,
— another positive proof to himself of great
proficiency in whist. A. qu., C. 9, B. 6, D. 6 of

" Now I 'U give my partner his suit." Prpof
number three of skill and information about thg

the I

A HAND A T CARDS. 283

game ; and he throws the 3 of diamonds, C. 5, B.
kn„ D, k.

"I'll have that trump anyhow," says D., and
plays the ace of clubs, displaying his embracing
knowledge of whist, that ivill not only not let a
trump remain in the opponent's hand, but dares
to sacrifice a high card to bring it out. D. ace
of clubs, A. ace of hearts, C. 6 of clubs, B. 5 of
clubs. Then A. plays 2 of diamonds, C. g of
clubs, B. qu. of diamonds, D. 2 of clubs ; B. 9 of
diamonds, D. 7 of spades, A. 10 of diamonds, C.
lo of clubs ; A. 8 of diamonds, C. 8 of spades,
B. 7 of clubs, D. g of spades. Three rounds in
silence. No help for it.

"Now," says D., "we'll have something else."
A. leads the j of spades; C. plays qu., B. ace,
and D. 10.

" Any more aces ? " says D.

"No, only a little spade that I suppose you
will get," says B., and plays the 2, taken by D.'s
king.

" All right, we 're three by card," says B. " I
should never have guessed it by the looks of my
hand."

" You must remember I helped you a little,"
says A.

"We stopped you from going out, that 's all
that I thought we could do," says C.

" Well, we got all that there was ; there did n't

y of them get away," says A,

2S4 AAfEF/CA/f WHIST.

" Come on, it 's my deal," says B. " Cut the
cards ? "

"Yes, and I suppose cut you an honour,"
says C.

And so the game goes charmingly on.

This, and like to this, is the talk or the
thouglit of hundreds of card-handlers. These
players had no idea of what the cards they held
were capable, and thought that they were really
playing them in accordance with their value.
Let us place the same cards in the hands of
good American whist players, who read them as
they fall, drawing the inferences they offer, but
under the law of their game speaking not a
word, and see how A. and B.,/rom the same be-
ginning, compel the entire game before the ad-
versaries secure a trick.

B. throws the 7 of diamonds, the correct lead
from his hand; D. plays the 6. A. instantly
reasons in this wise: "My partner must have
three higher cards. He cannot have k. and qu.
or he would have led the k. ; he cannot have k.
and kn., or he would have led the 9 ; he holds
the qu„ kn., and 9. The 6 is played on ray
right. D. is probably not calling, for I have five
trumps. Either the k. is there alone, or D. has
no more. If he has no more, k. with another
held by C. will take at any rate. I must pas?
the trick to catch the card upon my rights"

A HAND AT CARDS. 285

All this that takes so long to write and to
read flashes instantaneously through the mind
of a good player,

A. throws the 3 of diamonds, for not only
must he not play the ace, but he must not take
the trick because he must not have the lead ;

C, throws the 4. B. at once takes in the situa-
tion and leads the highest of his trumps, D.
can gain nothing by refusing to throw k. If

A. has ace, and k. is not played, A. will not
cover kn. ; and if C, has either ace or qu. (for

B. can have neither of these), C. is to be helped
by D.'s play, calling, in trumps, two honours
for one. If A. holds both ace and qu., of
course D.'s play is fruitless. B. kn. of hearts,

D. k., A. ace, C. 5. A. draws the other trumps
with qu. and 10, plays the ace of diamonds on
which the k. must fall, and continues the dia-
monds, — B, having thrown the kn. on ace that
he may be out of A.'s way, for from C.'s play
of the 4 and 5 the rest of the diamonds are
marked with A. B, having taken the small
diamond next led with the queen, throws the
ace of spades, ?^ he sees that with A.'s dia-
monds and trumps the game is won. B. leaas
the 9 of diamonds. A, takes with the ro, plays
the 8, and then the trumps ; claiming five points
and game.

As we close this text-book devoted to the stu-

286 AMERICAN WHIST.

dents of the wondrous game, we kindly recom-
mend those who are careless about the proprie-
ties to contrast the tnanner of this play of the
same cards, to consider the folly of making re-
marks while the game is m progress, and to
derive such satisfaction as they may from the
illustration that defines the difference between
PLAYING WHIST and playing at playing whist.

SKILL IN WHIST.

Intellectual recreation recognizes but two
great games, — whist and chess. Practical chess
is decision upon inspection of visible situation.
Practical whist is calculation upon analysis of
unseen condition. In chess, there is no element
of luck ; the best judge of position wins. In
whist, chance is a prominent factor, and the race
may not be to the strong. The general whist-
player says, " Give me the cards and you may
have the science." The first-class player replies,
" The game is with the winner of the points ;
the glory may be with the loser."

It is when the fine player by skill demoralizes
chance that he claims the victory. The player
of the first force retains his title, however For-
tune may dispense favor.

The illustrated Hands that follow present the
advantages of skill in whist. In some of them
superiority on the part of one player or more
than one in the management of cards is shown.
The first four were played through by players
of different rank respectively ; the rest are rei>-
resentations of play of special and peculiar com-
binations. All the hands are from actual play.

HAND 1.

Four ordinary players, unaware of the resources of
the cards held by each, play them in usual manner.

The score is A B, 5 ; C D, 6. 2 h. turned.

A's Hand.

S. Kii.y 7> 4> ^*

H. lOy 9» 4*

C. Qu., 6, 5.

D. Ace., kn., la

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

A B o
CD 2

Trick I. The 2 s. is the correct original lead ; the
ace is not held by A, and his longest suit is spades.

AMERICAN WHIST.

Thick 4.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS. 39'

Trick 7. A, who has properly led the highest of
three trumps to his partner's call, now leads second
best, showing but one (if any) more in hand.

Trick 9.
C plays to '

B returns his partner's suit. Trick 10.
rin the trick or force a trump.

[♦♦♦I ♦ ♦

^ ♦ ♦!

V*]"^

Trick 13. D plays the 9 c, which B wins with
the last trump, and A B make the odd card.

292 AMERICAN WHIST.

THE HANDS (A*s has been given).

C's Hand.

B's Hand.

D's Hand

Qa^9-

K., 10, 8, 5.

A., 6, 3.

K., qu., 6, 5, 3.

Kn., 8, 7, 2.

Kn., 8, 4, 3.

10,7.

A., k., 9, 2.

K., 7, 6, 4, 3*2.

9,8.

Qu-, 5-

Remarks. — This hand is played throughout in
the most reg^ar, routine way. One of the two par-
ties must make- the odd card, and A B score it We
recommend the student to play it over carefully, and
then to study the next hand in diagram.

HAND 2.

Two fine players, C D, against two ordinary play-
ers, A B, play the same cards held by C D in Hand
I, and win the game. All the hands, the score, the
lead, and trump card, the same as in Hand i.

C*s Hand.

S. Qu., 9.
H. A.

C. Kn., 8, 4, 3.

D. K., 7, 6, 4, 3, 2.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

Trick 5. The ro h. in response to the evident
call. Trick 6. Two fine plays. C leads the best
card of his partner's suit ; D takes with ace in order
to lead the best diamond.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.
TxicK 8.

Trick 7, The qu. d. before a discard can be made.
B has finished a double call. Trick 8. The 3 s.,
purposely to throw the lead.

Trick 9.

0| g tsl

Trick 9. A continues trump lead with his second-
best card, showing but one more.

Remarks. — Comparison of the play of C D with
that of C D in Hand i will show that management
of the cards is of consequence. At trick 4, C
surrenders his hand for his partner's benefit. He
does not, of course, know where the diamonds are,
but he can do no greater good than by giving his
partner the benefit of his best card. C plays well in
trick 6, giving his partner the best card of the suit.
Although A B have played properly, C D by superior
play win the game.

HAND 3.

Two fine players, A B, against two ordinary play-
ers, C D, play the same cards held by A B in Hand
I, and win the game. All the hands, the score, the
lead, and trump card, the same as in Hand i.

B's Hand.

S. K., lOy 8, 5*

H. K., qu., 6, 5, 3.

C. 10, 7.

D. 9, 8.

THE PLAY,

Trick i

Trick 2.

AB o
CD 2

Trick I. The 10 s., the proper play. B sees that
his partner has not ace, and that he leads from four.
Trick 2. B begins his call.

298

AMERICAN WHJST.

•'Hln-

CD 3
Trick 3. B finishes his call.

Trick J. The best heart of three in answer to the
call. Trick 6. The fourth-best diamond led by C,
the almost inevitable play of the general player.

^ ^

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS. 299

Trick 7. B's play of 3 h. is very good. Trick 8.
D has no better lead than the diamond.

-^E

.Spy

Trick 13. A makes the kn. d,, and A B have 2
by cards and game.

THE HANDS (B"s ttAS been given).

A.. 6, 3.
H. Kn., 8, 7, %
A..k.,9, 2.
Qu , 5-

300 AMERICAN WHIST,

Remarks. — The reading of the cards by A B,
their discards and the force, are features in the play
of the hand. A having led the lowest of his suit of
four, C follows with the 9 and B, holding Ic., 10, 8, 5,
plays, as he should do, the to. B sees that A has not
the ace, for he has led the 2 ; also that he has not qu.
and kn. He probably has one of these. C has not
qu. and kn., but may have ace. B may have one or
two honours, and against them B finesses. The 10
draws the ace, as B properly thought it might do, and
B is left in command of his partner's suit with a good
tenace in it, and a strong trump suit to help to make
it. B now plays for the game, and in the next round
begins his call, finishes it in the next, and throws
his highest diamond on the club trick taken by A.
C shows but one trump, and on C's lead of 4 d., the
careful one to save his k., which most players would
be sure to make, B finishes his call. B passes the
trump in trick 7 that D may make kn. h., and have
the lead. Whether D leads club or diamond is im-
material : the play of B is very strong over what
would be the ordinary play of the hands held by C
and D.

HAND 4.

All fine players. All the hands, the score, the
lead, and the trump card, the same as in Hands i,
2, and 3.

Trick i.

D's Hand.

S. A., 6, 3.

H. Kn., 8, 7, 2.

C. A., k., 9^ 2.

D. Qu.,5.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

LT 1 ^^^

♦J * [♦♦^

AB I
CDo

Trick I. D properly declines to take the trick.
See Remarks. Trick 2. B leads the fourth-best
trump.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.

W + B

V',

CDs
Trick 7. B asks for the last trump.

Trick g. C

7 sj

TC"

Trick II. D's plan of keeping control of the
spade suit is available now, and saves the game.

304 AMERFCAN WHIST.

Trick 13. B leads S s. which A takes with kn.,
and A B make the odd card.

THE 1

HANDS (D-s HAS BEi

EN GIVEH).

A's Hand.

C's Hand.

B's Hand.

Kn., 7. 4, J.
10,9,4-
Qu.. 6, s.
A, kn., 10.

Q8-,9-
A-

Kn.,8,4.3.
K., 7, 6, 4, 3. ^

K. 10,8,5.
K., qu., 6. S. 3.

10, 7-
9.8.

Remarks. — D, who is expected by all common

players to take a trick whenever he can get one, sees
the importance of at once giving the lead to his ad-
versary. He sees that neither A nor C have both k.
and qu, s., and can afford to wait developments.
The lead may be from k., qu., or kn., but C has
thrown g second, and has but one more. B leads a
trump, and C's play shows D the three high cards
against him. C plays his strengthening diamond. A,
taking, leads the 10 h., and B reads the four original
trumps of D. Forcing the play of kn., B throws the
lead, D at once makes the diamond. B, throw-
ing 10 c on k. c. led by D, induces the following
lead of ace. D takes k. s,. and saves the game.
The play throughout is fine. These four illustrations
are given for comparison by tyro and expert. The
play of the same cards by players of different qual-
ity conclusively show the value of skill In whist

HAND 5.

AMERICAN LEADS. No. i.

Lead from original fourth best in plain suit and in
trumps.

Score, A B, 4 ; C D, 5. A. d. turned.

A's Hand.

S. Kn., 9.

H. K., 10^ 9, 8, 4, 3, 2.

C. 2.

D. 6,3,2.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2. B

3o6

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick I. Qu. h., to show no more when kn. is
played. The advantage of the American lead is at
once apparent, and B can see the probably won
game if his partner's suit is long enough.

Trick 3.

AB I
C D2

Trick 4.

*+*| L*_*J I***

A I 1 4» - +

»^4 'l O |4'*4'

o -e

A B2
C D 2

Trick 3. 7 d., the American lead of the trump. A
is now satisfied that the game will probably be
made. Trick 4. It may be that B holds a. c, but
if so, he can make it later. A will not risk the
chance, for D has proclaimed kn. c.

Trick 5. B Trick 6.

0^0

A B 2
CD3

I ^

4. 4

A B 2
C D4

Trick 6. 5 c, because a. or 9 must be with part-
ner, or both will make. A. c, in order to give D
control of suit. 3 c. insures the game.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS,

307

Trick 7.

Trick 8.

Trick 7. 9 c., best to force a trump. If C had
played s., B would have taken with ace. Trick 8.
4 h., to show the other two in play.

Trick 9.

Trick 10.

AB6
C D4

Trick it.

•

^
^

Al?7
C 1)4

Trick 12.

A B8
C D4

3o8 AMERICAN' WHIST.

Trick 13. A takes with 10 h., and A B have 3 by
card and game.

THE HANDS (A's has been ghten).

C's Hand.

B*s Ha>d.

D's Hand.

K., 8, 4, 3.

A., 6, 5.

Qu., 10, 7, 2.

7»6.

Qu., kn.

A., 5.

A., 9, 8, 7.

K., 4, 3.

Qu., kn., 10, 6, 5

Kn., 8, 5.

Qu., 10, 9, 7, 4.

A.,k.

Remarks. — It is easy to see by how many plays
the game could have been saved by C D, but for the
informatory lead. Suppose that by the old way A
had played either 4, 3, or 2, B would have played kn.
and D ace. D would lead back the heart through
the strong up to the weak. A could make the k. h.,
and no more. Or suppose that A had led a short
suit, a once tolerated plan, five tricks were sure for
the opponents. Or, if he had led as he did, and
without a system, there are not nine tricks in his
hand and his partner's. Reading the hand, B forced
the play from first to last, and was warranted in so
doing. The American leads are giving more promi-
nence than they have ever done to the arguments in
favor of the leader above the dealer, although one
of the dealer's cards becomes a trump.

HAND 6.

AMERICAN LEADS. No. 2.

High card followed by low card. Unblocking
byB.

Score, A B, 4; C D, 6. A. h. turned.

B's Hand.

S. K.y qu., kn., 3.
H. Qu., kn.^ 9, 8, 2.

C. 9,3'

D. K., 4.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2

Trick I. Upon the ace, which proclaims four
more, B begins to unblock. Trick 2. 6 s., fourth
best, proclaims 9, 8, and 4.

3IO

AMERICAN WHIST,

Trick 3. A

9? <;?

AB2
CD I

rRICK 4.

"> /s

-^ Q

AB 2
CD 2

Trick 3. B plays fourth best through a. turned.

Trick 5.

o o

Trick 6.

AB3
C D 2

9 <9

9 ^

9? S?

AB3

CD3

Trick 7.

XiJ

A B4
CD3

Trick 8. A

C D

o o

*v_

0? ^

A B 5
CD3

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.

3>i

Trick 9.

Trick la

• + ♦

AB 7
CD3

Trick it. A

Trick 12

Trick 13. C makes k. c, and A B have 3 by card
and game.

THE HANDS (B*s has been given).

C's Hand.

A's Hand.

D*s Hand.

10, 2.

A., 9, 8, 6, 4.

7,5-

10, 7, 6, 5.

4,3-

A.,k.

A., k., qu., kn.,

8, 6, 4.

10, 5, 2.

10, 6.

9» 3» 2.

A., qu., kn., 8, 7, 5

312 AMERICAN WHIST.

Remarks. — When you have led a high card and
follow with a low card, that low card must be the
original fourth best of the suit. The principle of the
play is presented unde^^merican Leads and Third
Hand.

HAND 7.

AMERICAN LEADS. No. 3.

High card, followed by high card, indicating num-
bers. Playing for partner's hand by B.

Score, A B, 4 ; C D, 6l K. h. turned.

A's Hand.

S. K., qu., 10, 9, 6> 3.

H. S,4»3.2-

C. 9,7.

D. 9.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

314

AMERICAN WHIST,

Trick I. A proclaims five in suit. B, holding
three of suit, passes. Trick 2. A proclaims six in
suit, all but the 2 s. now proclaimed in B's hand.

Trick 3.

Trick 4.

4. 4.

4* 4> 4>

♦ +

AB2
CD2

Trick 3. B has not strength to get out trumps,
but on principle surrenders his own game and plays
for A's suit. D, holding fourchette, pla3'S k. Trick
4. D announces a four suit of clubs. A echos in
plain suit, as he has already done in trumps. B passes
the k. lead, that he may keep control of the suit, of
which, in all probability, C holds three cards.

Trick 5.

* ^ I

4. 4.

Trick 6.

A B3
C I) 2

Trick 6. B persists in the trump lead, because
sure on the next play to take the trick and force an-
other round.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS,

315

[0 o

ol o o

o o

Trick 8.

A64
CD3

9 9

^iSiy

9 9

AB4
CD4

Trick 7. C knows that D cannot have kn. c, and
as A has played the 9, A must have kn. or no more.
C therefore leads the diamond, in which suit, if C D
can make one trick, they save the game. B at once
throws ace, that he may again lead trumps, of which
suit A has shown four.

Trick 9.

Trick 10.

QId

0^0

_♦__

9 9

♦

9 9

4
A

A B <;

A B6

C D4

C 1

3i6

Trick ii.

AMERICAN WHIST,
Trick 12.

O"^
+ .♦ O o] *

AB7
CD4

Trick 13.

♦♦♦

oOo

OoO

4* 4>

A B8
C D4

ABo
C D4

Trick 13. A B have 3 by cards and game.

THE HANDS (A»s has been given).

C*s Hand.

B's Hand.

D's Hand.

8,5.

A., 7, 2.

Kn., 4*

A., 10, 8.

Qu., 9, 6.

K., kn., 7.

10, 8, 6, 3.

A., kn., 5.

K., qu., 4, 2

Qu., kn., 7, 2.

A., 10, 4, 3.

K., 8, 6, 5.

Remarks. — This hand is one of the instances in
which the fourth best is one of the high cards that
properly follows a high card. The New Play addi-
tionally illustrates the mathematical value and rank
of the cards.

HAND a

THE LEAD OF THE 9.
Score, A B, 4 ; C D, 6. Qu. s. turned

A's Hand.

S. K., kn., 8, 6, 4, 2.

H. K., kn., 9, 8, 7.

C. la

D. Qu.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

Trick I. The double tenace is probably with D.

3i8

Trick 3.

4. ^
4. 41

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 4

4. 41

AB I
C D2

Trick 6.

Trick 5. The situation is very critical. C D need
but two tricks to save the game. These can be
made if A can be forced to play the heart up to the
proclaimed tenace held by D. Of course C must not
play through it. C can establish his partner's suit
by leading a. d., and force a trump from A, but
then A will draw the trumps and lead a club, for C
believes that A has more clubs, despite his high
play on the third round. It may be that B has
thrown k. c. in order to take the trick if possible
and give his partner the trump. In that case A has
a. c, and may be obliged to lead the heart.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.

319

Trick 7.

C I9 9

9 9

4
4

Trick 8

AB4
CD3

Trick 7. This is the play of the hand. A has
noted that the 3 s. has not fallen. D would not
have thrown qu. s. second hand if he had held three,
and C has thrown the 9 on the kn. If A can throw
the play into his partner^s hand, and B will lead
through the tenace, A has the game. This positive
remembrance of the low cards out and their situa-
tion is a characteristic of the superior player.

Trick 8. It is, of course, useless to do otherwise
than play the a. h., but it is evident that the game is
lost.

ICK 9

Trick 10.

4>
4 4

^0^
0^0

0"~0

9 _

4 4
A

A
C ]

B6
^4

320 AMERICAN WHIST,

Tricks ii, 12, and 13. A's spades and hearts win
every trick, and A B make 3 by card and game.

THE HANDS (A's has been given).

C's Hand.

B's Hand.

D's Hand.

A., 9.

10, 5, 3.

Qu., 7.

6, 5.

4»3»«-

A., qu., la

Qu., 9, 7» 6, 3.

A i k., 5» 4» 2.

Kn., 8.

A., k., 7» 5*

8,2.

Kn., 10, 9, 6, 4, 3.

Remarks. — At the fifth round A has neither
clubs nor diamonds. He must have hearts, for he
cannot have all trumps, and the play of the kn. h. is
an imperative demand for the lead of another trump.
If C had led a. d. on fifth round, A would have
trumped, drawn trumps, led the 2 s., and, after B
had made the a. c, he (B) would have led through
the heart ten ace. If, however, C had led the heart,
and D had played a. and led back qu., C would have
taken with 9 s. and saved the game. But the hand
is given as it was played.

HAND 9.

THE NEW PLAY.

Lead from a., k., and three. Unblocking and
play of Deschapelles coup by B.

Score, A B, 6 ; C D, 6. 9 h. turned.

A's Hand.

S. Qu., 9, 6, 3.

H. K., qu.

C A., k., 8| 4, 3.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

♦*♦ ,

AB I
CDo

Trick 2. B began to unblock, but, finding that C

322

AMERICAN WHIST.

trumped, changed his play to a call, although he
knows that qu. c. is with D.

Trick 4. B

0/vO

oOo

o ol o

o^ Lo

o <>

ABi
CD2

w>:^i

IZil

0^0

AB I
CD3

Trick 3. B, having called, does not repeat the
call. C has led qu. d. from foot of sequence, followed
with k., signifying six in suit ; the new play.

Trick 5.

Trick 6.

S? ^

(

9?
A

"^M^

7M.

A]
C I

AI
CI

3 2

Trick 5. It is useless to pursue the diamond. B
would discard and A trump. Better lead through
the calling hand. Trick 6. A can have no more
hearts.

iLLUSTRATlVE ffANDS.

CD5 CDs

Trick 8. The 10, to force a trump and give C the
last play on B's next lead. C discards from dia-
monds, retaining spades, since it is evident his part-
ner cannot help him make the diamonds.
Thick 9.

C D s

Trick 10. The k. s., an excellent play, in Rrder
afterward, if k. is taken by adversary and qu. held
by A, to let him in that he nnay make the last club.
It is evident to B that A can have a spade only (or
reentry, and he plays the Deschapelles coup.

If C had held up a. s. and let B make another
lead, B would have thrown the 10. D, satisfied that
his partner had not the a., would have covered with
kn. A would have thrown qu. Ace must take and

324

AMERICAN WHIST.

the 9 be good. If C was holding up both a. andkn.,
A*s play would not matter. D could not have both
if he followed with the 7, and if he had the a. he
would not probably have passed the k.

Trick ii.

9 9

Trick 12.

ABs
CD6

Trick 13. A makes the 8 c, and A B win the odd

card and game.

THE HANDS (A's HAS been given).

C's Hand.

B's Hand.

D's Hand.

A., 8, 4.

K., 10, 2.

Kn., 7, 5.

Kn., 8, 4.

10, 7, 6, 5, 3.

A., 9, 2.

Kn., 9, 2.

Qu., 10, 7, 6

A., k., qu., 7,

Kn., 10.

8, 6, 2.

REMARKS. — In this strife for the odd card, C D
battled bravely, and but for the masterly play of B
on the loth round the game could not have been
won by A B. Altogether, the hand is a specimen of
superior whist play.

\i the lead of B had been the small spade instead
of the k., A would of course have thrown qu., and C,
leading a small spade through B, would have saved
the game.

HAND 10.

THE NEW PLAY.

Lead from quint to ace. Discard from long suit
on partner's lead.

Score, A B, 6; C D, 4. 9 h. turned.

D's Hand.

S. ICn.y 8, 6.

H. K., 10, 5-

D. A., kn., 8, 7, 6^ 5, 4.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

ABo
CDi

o
o o

ABo
CD 2

Trick I. The 10 is not the head of a sequence.

326

AMERICAN WHIST.

Jt is very likely to be the foot of one. It may be
from k.y kn., and others, but in any event D ¥rill not
trump. D cannot make his diamond suit The
spade suit may be the adversaries' best, and D may
find the kn. s. useful. Trick 2. C, following with
a., proclaims the sequence entire. B calls.

Trick 3.

9
s?

AB I
CD2

Trick 4.

Trick 3. C plays directly through the calling
hand. If B passes and the kn. takes, C follows
with the 7. Qu. h. second on kn. led would be bad
play.

Trick 5.

AB I
CD4

Trick 6.

ILLUSTRATIVB HANDS. 327

Tecck S. I

328 AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 13. D plays k. h., on which the 9 and 6 fall,
and C D make 3 by card and game.

THE HANDS P's has been given).

A*s Hand. C's Hand. B's Hand.

S. 10, 5, 4, 3. A-, 9. 2. IC, qu., 7.

H. 9» 8> 3- ^^-j 7- A, qu., 6, 4» 2.

C. 9, 8, 6, 4. A., k., qu., kn., la 7f 5» 3. 2.

D. 10, 9 K., 3, 2. Qu.

Remarks. — The play of C and D is especially
good. By any other management they could not
have won. The lead through the calling hand, the
irregular discard for proper reason, and the refusal
to over-trump are the features of the play.

HAND 11.

THE NEW PLAY.

Lead from the royal sequence.

Score, A B, 3 ; C D, 6. K. c. turned.

A's Hand.

S. A., k., qu., kn., 5, 3, 2.

H. 5.3-

C. Kn., 5, 4.

D. 8.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

Trick 2. A proclaims five more spades in hand.
There is no call for trumps.

330

AMERICAN WHIST,

TwcK y

Tkick 4.

4.*+

4».4»

AB3

CD I

Trick 3. B will not call for trumps. The k. is
turned on his left. He 6as a long suit of diamonds,
but of no present strength, and if A has a reentry
card it may be made on the opponent's lead. A can-
not now lead a heart to By who has persistently dis-
carded three. He prefers to continue his own suit,
letting one opponent and his partner discard, while
the other trumps and throws the lead. Trick 4.
This round changes the whole phase of things. D
will of course lead his best suit

Trick 5.

nr nrl

■^0 ^

f ■-«

Trick 6.

AB4
CD I I

♦~+i I I r4^

4> 4i |4» ♦ _j^
^ 4>

CD I

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS,

331

Trick 5. B now has but one plan to pursue. If
it shall be that the trumps were equally divided, or
that the now second best is in A's hand, A can make
his spades.

Trick 7.

Trick 8.

♦

AB7

CD I

Trick 9. B

9 S?
9 9

AB8
CD I

Trick 10.

B
<>

o ol po"
<>

ABo
CD I

332

Trick ii.

oooo

o td
oooo

AMERICAN WHIST,
Trick 12.

OOOO

oooo

ffJBf/fftn

0^^

AB9
CD2

A B 10
C D2

Trick 13. D takes with k. h., and A B have 4 by
card and game.

THE HANDS (A's has been given).

C*s Hand.

B*s Hand.

D's Hand.

9, 8, 6.

10, 7, 4.

Qu., kn., 7.

10, 9, 6.

/V., K.y Oy 4» ^

10, 7, 6.

A., qu., 9, 2.

K., 8, 3.

A., k., qu., 4.

Kn., 10, 9, 7,

6, 2.

5' 3-

Remarks. — This hand was finely played by B.
In the first place, although strong in trumps, he did
not call, but left the lead of trumps to A, if A had a
card of reentry and so thought best to play the
trump. B, after the fourth round, could count upon
division of the trumps, for C, having four, would not
have trumped second hand. If the kn. c. was in the
opponent's hand, B's 9 would draw it and leave A
with the last club. A's continuance of his own suit
was much better play than the lead of the singleton
diamond.

HAND 12.

THE NEW PLAY.
Qu. at foot of sequence. Refusal to over-trump.

Score, A B, 4 ; C D, 6. A. d turned.

A's Hand.

S. Kn.) 3i 2.

H. K.

C. A., k., qu., 9, 4, 3.

D. 10,6,3.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

<5>

4.*+
+ 4.

AB I
C D I

Trick I. The old play was k., then qu. By that
lead the number of the suit could not be determined.

334

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 2. B, although holding fourchette, does not
over-trump. He sees that D must hold four or five
clubs. A remains with the two best, but not the
three best. B therefore retains his trump strength,
trusting that some high card in A's hand may bring
him into the lead.

Trick 4. B

— ' ♦*♦

♦ !♦♦♦

A 6 I
CD3

Trick 5.

7 9?

9 ^

Trick 6.

AB2
CD3

Trick 5. Only qu. and kn. s. are in hand, and C
does not again lead the suit against the chance of a
small trump by A, and his continuation of club play.
Trick 6. A sees that, if D holds the strength in
hearts, the game is probably lost. B has not called,

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.

335

and A continues his suit. B's play of k. d. is very
fine. If D has lo d. or four trumps he can save the
game, but as he may not have the lo and the trumps
be divided, B now shows to A his strength ; for if D
can be compelled to play up to either A or B, B
sees the won game.

JCK 7

•

Trick 8.

OOOO

o o o o
oooo

AB4
CD3

V A

AB4
CD4

Trick 8. D can refuse to take the trick, but B is
prepared for that. If he does not take it, B forces
with the other trump.

Trick g

Trick to.

9 ^

A]
CI

4 ♦

A]
CI

36
)4

Tricks ii, 12, and 13. B makes the hearts and
best spade, and A B have 3 by card and game.

336 AMERICAN IVmsT,

THE HANDS (A'5 has been givxn).

C's Hand. B's Hand. D's Hand.

S. A., k., 7, 6, 4. Qu., 8, 5. 10, 9.

H. 10, 8, 7, 4. A., qu., kn., 6, 3. 9, 5, 2.

C. 10. Kn. 8, 7, 6, 5, 2.

D- Qu., 9, 4- K., kn., 8, 2. A., 7, 5.

HAND la

THE NEW PLAY.

From k., qu., and three small.

Score, A B, 5 ; C D, 6. 3 h. turned.

A's Hand.

S. 10,6,5,3.
H. K., 7» 6.

C. Qu.

D. K., qu., 7, 4, 2.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

O
O O

[0 ol Wo
o

m^i lo__o

A IWWFA

ABo
CD I

4 ♦

4 4

AB I
CDi

Trick I. B reads that the qu. must be one of five,
and his unblocking on this first trick saves the game.

338

Trick 3.

AMERICAN WHIST,

Trick 4.

9 9
9 9

[Hi

9 9

AB2
CD I

9 9

9^9

9 9

9
9 9

9 9

AB2
C D 2

Trick 4. It is of course useless to play qu. sec-
ond.

Trick 5.

AB2
CD3

Trick 6.

%M.

♦ *♦

Vfiwl'JSK

1^^

♦ ♦

♦

4 4

A B2
C D4

Trick 7.

9 ^
9^
9 9
9 9

AB2
CDs

Trick 8.

♦

A B3
CDs

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS,

339

Trick 7. The proper play of D would be the dis-
card of the diamond, for D has only clubs to lead,
and his partner has shown that he cannot now have
command of that suit ; but if D passes, he knows
that B will force with another heart, while it may be
that A will over-trump in order to lead another dia-
mond.

Trick 9.

Trick la

Trick 9. It is evident now that the game is won
byAB.

Trick it.

Trick 12.

o o

AB7

CDs

340

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 13. B

AB8
\^ A CDs

Trick 13. A B make 2 by card and game.
THE HANDS (A*s has been given).

C's Hand.

B's Hand.

D's Hand

K., qu., 7, 2.

A., 9, 8.

Kn.) 4*

8, 5,4.

Kn., 10, 2.

A., qu., 9, 3.

A., kn., 9, 4.

K., 7, 3. *

10, 8, 6, 5, 2

A., 10.

Kn., 8, 6, 3.

9.5-

Remarks. — It is evident that if A had led k. d.,
A B would have lost the game.

HAND 14.

THE NEW PLAY.

Lead from quart to k. and one small.

Score, A B, 4 ; C D, 4. 4 s. turned by D.

B's Hand.

S. A., qu., 6, 5, 2.
xi* '•'•f It 4> ^*

D. 2.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

9? 9

9? <;?
9 9

A B I
CDo

Trick 2. The play shows two more hearts in B's
hand*

342

Trick 3.

AMERICAN WHIST,

Trick 4.

AB2
CD I

Trick 3. B purposely passes in order that the call
may be answered. The accomplished player is famed
for his ingenuity in throwing the lead.
Trick 5. A I Trick 6. A

Trick 7. A

AB4
CD3

Trick 8.

AB c
CD3

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS,

343

Trick 9. A

Trick 10. A

00 O

o^ol W^ I

AB6
CD4

Trick ii.

4. 4.

♦

AB7
CD4

Trick 12. A

9? <9

0.0
0^0

9 s?

9 9

AB8
CD4

Trick 13.

Trick 13. A B make 3 by card and game,

344 AMERICAN WHIST.

THE HANDS (6*s has been given).

D*s Hand. A's Hand. C's Hand.

S. 9,4- 10,8. K., kn., 7,3.

H. 9, 8. K., qu., kn., 10, 5. 6, 3.

C. K., kn., 10, 5, 4. 8, 7, 6. Qu., 3.

D. Kn., 8, 6» 4. 7» 5i > A., k., qo., lO, 9.

HAND 15.

THE NEW PLAY.

Lead from the royal sequence and one small;
discard, and call upon plain suit.

Score, A B, 5 ; C D, 5. 3 h. turned by D.

C's Hand.

S. 10, 9, 5, 2.

xl. 0| 4*

C. K., qu., 10, 9, 4, 3.

D. 9.

Trick i.

9
9

4 ♦

9 9

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

AB I
CDo

9
9
9

^^^

9 9

A B2
CDo

Trick 2. C reads k. and qu. h., and one small in
A's hand.

346

Trick 3.

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 4.

9? <9

AB3

CDo

<5> ^

4. 4,

AB3

CD I

Trick 5.

AB4
C D I

Trick 6.

0^0

AB5

C D I

Trick 5. C knows that the 8 is D*s best club, and
is forced to take the obligatory finesse notifying D
of his strength in the suit.

Trick 7.

Trick 8.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.

347

Trick 8. D saw the necessity of forcing the last
trump, and thereby throwing the lead. If he should
be obliged to follow to a club, he could not trump
the a. s., for he would then be obliged to lead a dia-
mond to B's strength. The a. s. must make, but the
plays shows lo s. and another in C's hand.

Trick 9.

AB7

CD2

Trick 10.

O
O

o_oJ ^ !!_♦

AB7

CDs

Trick it. D

Trick 12. D

O O
O

AB7
CD5

348

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 13.
game.

Trick 13.

♦ .4»
4-*+

AB7
CD6

A B have i by card, and C D save the

THE HANDS (C's has been given).

B*s Hand.

D's Hand.

o. Ivn.y Of ^

H. 10, 9, 7, 5, 3, 2.

C. A., 7» 6. 8, 2.

D. K., qu., kn., 10, 7, 6, 4. A., 8, 5, 3, 2.

A's Hand.

A., k., qu., 7, 6, 3.
A., k., qu., kn., 6.
Kn., 5.

HAND 16.

Irregular play for all the points. A sample of
common-sense whist.

Score, A B, 6; C D, o. 6 c. turned.

D's Hand.

S. K.

H. A., k., 8, 7, 4, 3, 2.

C. A., k., qa., kn., 4.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

<5>

ABo
CDi

Trick I. The irregular trial lead. Trick 2. C
had no trick, and perhaps as good play as he had
was to return, must fortunately, his partner's lead.

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 4. C

•

ABo
CD4

Trick 4. Showing but three more trumps.

Trick 5.

Trick 6.

ABo
CDs

Trick 5. Six by card is now declared.

ABo
C D6

Trick 7.

Trick 8.

ABo
C D7

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.

351

Trick 9.

ABo
CD9

Trick la

Trick it.

Trick 12.

Trick 12. D had played neither s. nor d., and B
happened to throw the wrong ace.

Trick 13. C

Trick 13.

ABo
CD 13

C D make 7 points and game.

352 AMERICAN WHIST.

THE HANDS (D's has been given).

A's Hand.

C's Hand.

B's Hand.

ICn., 8, 6, 5*

10, 7, 4, 2.

A., qu., 9, 3.

Kn., lo, 5.

Qu.,9.

5.3.2»

10,9,8,6.

K., 10, 7, 6, 4.

9*8,3,2.

A., qu., kn., 5.

Remarks. — The play of Mr. Le Moyne was fash-
ioned upon the common-sense whist of Mr. Lewis of
London, and, though irregular in lead, it will be
found to be managed in detail in accordance with
the most correct system. The play of trumps is ac-
curate to designate five in number, and the heart
play informed his partner that but one card of either
s. or d. was to be retained. His partner, by his own
play, had advised that he had not that card, and Mr.
Le Moyne must take the chance of its retention or
discard by the opponent.

HAND 17.

THE COUP DE SACRIFICE.

Score, A B, 6 ; C D, 4. 8 c turned.

B's Hand.

S. K., 10, 9, 3.

Ii. K.| 8, Oy 4*

C. A., 9, 8.

D. K.,4.

Trick i.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

4-
4-

♦ +

ABo
CDi

♦ .4»

♦ 4*

♦ 4-

4- ♦

ABo
CD2

Trick I. D plays k. at head of six. Trick 2. C
has not echoed, and does not hold both a, and 7.

354

AMERICAN WmST,

Trick 3. A

Trick \. A

0^0

V:^

A Bo
CD3

[aii

AB I
CD3

Trick 3. The coup de sacrifice, a beautiful play.
Trick 4. The 2 h., to throw the play, if possible,
into C's hand, that on his lead D may get rid of his
diamonds.

Trick 5.

Trick 6.

OOOO

oooo

+ +

♦

+ +,

Trick 7.

AB3

Trick 8.

A B s
CD3

tLLVSTkATtVE ttANHS.

3SS

Trick 5. B reads the six trumps of D, conse-
quently the three of C's hand, also the five diamonds
of D, and the best diamonds in A's hand.

Trick 9.

♦

♦^ U »| I

♦ »l ♦ I

ABs
CD4

Trick la

^ ^

9
^ ^

0^«

9 <;?

A B 5
CDs

Trick 9; C reads the rest of the trumps in D's
hand and but one spade and the last diamond, and
plays ace.

Tricks 11, 12, and 13 are taken by D's trumps.
C D make 2 by card, and A B save the game.

THE HANDS (B's has been given).

D's Hand

S. 6.

H. 2.

C. K.,xiu., io> 5, 4, 2.

D. A., 8, 6, 5, 3.

A's Hand.

5»4» 2.

Kn., 7, 5, 3.

Kn.

Qu., kn., 10, 9, 7.

Cs Hand.

A., qu., kn., 8, 7.
A., qu., 10, 9.

7»6^3-
2.

HAND 18.

. THE GRAND COUP.
Score, A B, 4 ; C D, 6. 5 h. turned

A's Hand.

S. 8,6,5.

H. K., kn., 9, 7, 2.

C. 8,6,3.

D. A., 9.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

«|D

A Bo
CD 2

Trick I. The correct lead, whether in trumps or
plain suit. Trick 2. D, having deuce at foot of suit,
opens with a. at head of four.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS,

357

Trick 3.

4
4

♦ 4

Trick 4.

ABi
CD2

Trick 4. B has the 10 and 6 h., qr he has no
more.

Trick 5.

Trick 6.

B
4*^ 4*

+♦+

* ♦

c ♦

+ ♦

Trick 8. B

^m^i

AB2
CD4

358

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 7. C throws the diamond, hoping for a sin-
gle trick in the suit by his partner, to save the game.
If D cannot take the trick, C has at least thrown the
lead, so that A must lead up to D.

Trick 9.

■%

Trick la

^Ss^A *

^^^^vj

♦^*

♦♦♦

♦ ♦

OaO

0^^

AB i;

AB6

CD4

Trick 10. The grand coup. A trumps his part-
ner's trick to return the spade, of which suit he may
have the kn., because, if B has it, A B make the
game. D properly discards a spade, for if he trumps
he will be over-trumped, and his last trump drawn.

Trick ii.

Trick 12.

9 9
9 9?

9 9

A B8
C D 4

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.
Trick 15.

Trick 13. A B have 3 by card and game.
THE HANDS (A's has BBEn given).
C's Hand. B's Hand. D's \

S. Qu.,9,3.
H. 8, 3.

C. A., k., 7, 4.

D. 7.6,5-3-

— !

35*

K., kn., 4.

A., 10, 7, 2.

Qii.,4-

A. .0.6, 5.

QO., 10, 5-

Kn.,9,1.

K,.kii.,io,4,2.

Qa.,8.

HAKD 19.

Throwing the lead ; refusal ta play from seven
trumps ; the American play.

Score, A B, 6 ; C D, 6. 5 c. tamed.

A'sHand.

S. K.
xl. K^ 4"

C. 1^,10,9,8,7,6^2.

D. K^kiL,9w

Trick i.

o o

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

A Bo
CD I

A Bo
C D 2

Trick I. A correctly plays the American lead.
He has but four sure tricks, unless the play is made
up to him. His first purpose, therefore, is to throw

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS,

361

the lead. C, holding double tenace, of course plays
10. If he throws qu., as required by English whist,
he loses a trick. Trick 2. C's best play. If B cov-
ers, he loses a trick.

Trick 3.

Trick 4. B

Trick 3. D's best play.

Trick 5. B

o o

on o_o I* ♦

ABi
CD4

Trick 6.

Trick 5. Here was a choice of play, but probably
the force was better than any other.

AMERICAN WHIST.

Trick 8.

♦ +

A B3
CDs

Trick 9. B

Trick 10.

♦

♦ 41 r* u 4

A B 5
CDs

Trick ii,

<:?

AB6
CD5

Trick 12.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS.

363

Trick 13. B

9? ^

4 ^

AB8
CDs

Trick 13. A B make 2 by card.

THE HANDS (A's has been given).

C's Hand.

B's Hand.

D's Hand.

K.n., 8, 5*

Qu.,9.

A., 10, 7, 6, 4, 3, 2,

A., 5» 2»

Kn., 10, 9, 8, 7.

Qu., 6, 3.

Qu., 4» 3-

A., kn.

A., qu.| io» 2.

7» 6, 4, 3-

8,5-

HAND 20.

Trick i.

9 ^

A YARBOROUGH.

Score, A B, 5; CD, 4. 7 d. turned.

C's Hand.

S. 7» 5» 4-
H. 8, 7, 2.

C. 6,5,3.

D. 5,4.3»2.

THE PLAY.

Trick 2.

9 ^

9? 9?

9 9?

ABo
C Di

Trick I. The correct play, holding the 8, and not
the beginning of a call. Trick 2. The best lead
from the hand, informing of four.

ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS,

Trick 3.

%^ L

o
o

A60

CD3

Trick 4.

Trick 5.

Trick 6.

Trick 6. B, seeing that A led from four, plays a.
to insure the trick, to lead his clubs, and perhaps on
another s. or c. to save the game.

Trick 7. D

AB3
CD4

Trick 8.

*A*

4. 4.

B ♦

* ♦

4- *

A64
CD4

AMERICAN WHIST,

Trick la

+ ♦

AB4

CD6

Trick ii.

9
^

4 ^

Trick 12. D
lO'O

Trick 13. D

Trick 13. CD make 3 by card and game.

ILLUSTkATlVE HANDS. 367

THE HANDS (C's has been given).

A's Hand.

D's Hand.

B's Hand.

Qu., 9, 8, 2.

A., kn., 10, 6, 3.

K., 10, 9, 6.

A., qu., kn., 5, 3.

Qu., kn., la

9,8.

A., K., 7» 4» 2.

Qu., 10.

A., k., kn., 9, 7.

8,6.

Remarks. — The hand of C would at once be con-
demned by an ordinary player. But its proper play
by a good player insured the game to D. If C had
thrown the 2 h. upon the 6 led by A, it would have
cost the kn. to take the trick, very much impairing
D's hand. But, with the strength in hearts left him,
and the lead of the small trump by C, the game was
probably declared upon the second trick. Without
a card above the 8, C took one trick and gave his
partner encouragement to play winning cards. It is
true that the game might have been won by guess-
work play, but it is also true that a trick could have
been lost if D had been placed in the position of
leader. The result is nothing ; the proper manage-
ment of a very inferior hand is all.

Xotibfi aliout <5amtfi.

THE LA WS OF EUCHRE.

As adopted by the Somerset Club, of Boston,
March i, 1888. With some Suggestions about
the Play. By H. C. Leeds and James Dwight.
i8mo, 50 cents.

This attractively printed litde volume is valuable as con-
taining the latest modifications of the rules of the game, and
also abundant plain and practical hints for the beginner, with
illustrative examples of many fine points with which every
ambitious player will be glad to familiarize himself. — Tht
Critic (New York).

FAGOTS FOR THE FIRESIDE.

A Book of Games. By Lucretia P. Hale. 12 mo,
$1.25.

The unwary person who opens this book will be sorely
tempted to drop all business, call together a company, and
straightway fall to playing the games here described anc2
illustrated. It is the best collection we have seen, and will
be a boon to any host or hostess . . . when entertaining young
neighbors. Nor are all the games for immature brains ; some
of them will be found quite a test for older and better trained
minds. — Christian Advocate (New York).

*#* For sale by all Booksellers. Sent by maily post-
paidy on receipt of price by the Publishers^

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & COMPANY
4 Park St., Boston: xi East 17TH St., New York.

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